Vladimir Putin had an uncomfortable moment in Alaska as he faced tough questions from American reporters during his first visit to the U.S. in 10 years.
Sitting beside President Donald Trump in front of a backdrop that read “pursuing peace,” Putin found himself in unfamiliar territory. Unlike at home, where Russian media usually shields him from criticism, U.S. journalists pressed him with direct questions about the war in Ukraine.
One reporter shouted, “Mr. Putin, will you break your ceasefire?” Another asked if he would stop killing civilians. Putin appeared unsettled, putting his hands to his mouth as the press was quickly removed from the room.
This was a reminder that while Trump welcomed him warmly, Putin remains wanted by the International Criminal Court and is still under sanctions by most Western governments.
Arrival in Alaska
Earlier that day, Putin and Trump arrived separately at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Every detail, including who exited their plane first, had been carefully planned. Trump descended the steps of Air Force One before Putin appeared from his aircraft.
As they met on red carpets, Trump applauded and shook Putin’s hand. Soon after, a B-2 stealth bomber and F-22 fighter jets flew overhead in a dramatic display, briefly surprising Putin.
The leaders then stood together on a platform marked “Alaska 2025” for photos before heading into private talks.
A Ride in “The Beast”
In a last-minute change, Putin was invited to ride with Trump in “The Beast,” the U.S. presidential limousine. Originally, Putin was supposed to leave in his own Russian-made Aurus car, but instead both men rode together. Cameras caught Putin smiling and waving as the car drove away, raising questions about what they discussed privately.
The Press Conference
After three hours of closed-door talks, reporters wondered if Trump would stand beside Putin at the press conference. He had said earlier that if the talks went badly, he would not.
But both leaders appeared together, with Putin speaking first—a move that even Fox News called “really stunning.”
Putin said he wanted the war to end but claimed Kyiv and European capitals were blocking peace. He also supported Trump’s long-standing claim that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if Trump had been president in 2022.
“Today when President Trump said that if he was the president back then there would be no war and I’m quite sure that it would indeed be so,” Putin said through a translator.
Trump nodded in agreement, later calling the talks “productive,” though he admitted some disagreements remained.
What Putin Demanded
Details of the talks later emerged. According to European officials, Putin said he would end the war if Ukraine surrendered the Donetsk region in exchange for other concessions. Ukraine still controls key parts of Donetsk, which forms an important line of defense in the east.
This deal would give Russia greater control of the Donbas region, strengthening its position for future offensives.
Putin also demanded protections for the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, which President Volodymyr Zelensky banned last year, accusing it of helping Moscow’s war effort.
Meanwhile, Trump suggested that the U.S. could join European allies like the UK, France, and Germany in giving Ukraine “Article 5-style” security guarantees, similar to NATO’s defense pledge.
Looking Ahead
Zelensky is expected to travel to Washington on Monday to discuss Putin’s demands and Trump’s proposed peace plan. Leaders from the UK, France, and Germany will also take part.
The Alaska summit ended without questions from the press, giving Putin a chance to avoid further scrutiny. Before leaving, he turned to Trump and said in English:
“Next time in Moscow.”
Trump replied, “Ooh, that’s an interesting one. I’ll get a little heat on that, but I could see it possibly happening.”
