Amid recent low poll numbers, President Donald Trump is likely hoping that being perceived as a statesman on the world stage will revive his fortunes domestically.
It’s unclear whether he will get his wish.
On Wall Street, traders watch as U.S. President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine (REUTERS)
People in New York’s Times Square watch a screen showing the historic meeting between the U.S. and Russian leaders in Alaska (REUTERS)
Here’s more from Rachel Dobkin on Trump’s poor polling:
Oliver O’Connell15 August 2025 21:45
President Donald Trump has insisted Russian President Vladimir Putin was “not going to mess around with me” ahead of the first meeting between the two leaders since 2018, saying he thinks both “will make peace.”
On Thursday, Putin praised Trump’s “sincere efforts” towards ending the war in Ukraine, telling Kremlin officials the U.S. is making “quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the fighting.”
As the historic meeting is underway, here’s what we believe can be expected from the summit:
Oliver O’Connell15 August 2025 21:40
President Donald Trump’s political team sent a fundraising email during his private meeting with top aides and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The message stated: “I’m meeting with Putin in Alaska!”
It added, “It’s a little chilly,” and claimed, “THIS MEETING IS VERY HIGH STAKES for the world.”
“No one in the world knows how to make deals like me!” Donations were encouraged, starting at $10.
Oliver O’Connell15 August 2025 21:31
Chaotic scenes at Trump Putin summit as press clamor to question world leaders
Chaotic scenes unfolded as press shouted questions at US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin with the world leaders meeting for crunch Ukraine peace talks. Trump and Putin touched down in Anchorage on Friday evening (15 August) for their first one-on-on meeting in seven years. After shaking hands on a red carpet rolled out for their arrival, the two leaders sat in a room in front of a blue backdrop with the words “Pursuing Peace” printed on it. Their respective delegations seated to the side. Chaos followed as members of the press shouted out questions before they were ushered out of the room.
Oliver O’Connell15 August 2025 21:22
Reporters are holding in a tent adjacent to the room where the joint press conference is set to take place.
That room features two podiums, two sets of Russian and American flags, and a blue backdrop that says “Pursuing Peace.”
White House pool reporters do not expect any additional movements before the press conference, but will send updates if there are any changes.
The print pooler reports that it was just President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin riding in “the Beast” official limousine earlier for the drive from the tarmac to the meeting site.
Trump and Putin riding in the back of ‘The Beast’ (Reuters)
Oliver O’Connell15 August 2025 21:09
President Donald Trump has reiterated his strong desire for a ceasefire in Ukraine, indicating he would not be “happy” if he left today’s meeting without one.
Speaking to Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier aboard Air Force One en route to Alaska, Trump said his primary goal was to secure a halt to hostilities. He also expressed a wish for a second meeting on Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“I wouldn’t be thrilled if I didn’t get it,” he said of a ceasefire, noting that he had been told a resolution might not be achievable until a subsequent encounter. “I won’t be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire,” he reiterated.
Earlier, a clip shows Trump saying if today’s meeting doesn’t work out well, he would “head back home real fast.”
Separately, Trump joked he “may have to start liking” Hillary Clinton again.
This came after Clinton, the former secretary of state, suggested she would nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize if he negotiated an end to the war without Ukraine ceding territory.
“Well, that was very nice,” Trump commented on her remarks. The two were presidential rivals in 2016 with a contentious relationship.
Trump has previously been upfront about wanting the Nobel Peace Prize.
The full Fox News interview is set to air later on Friday.
With reporting from the AP
Oliver O’Connell15 August 2025 21:00
President Donald Trump (C-R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (C-L), flanked by their interpreters, meet during a US-Russia summit on Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.
They are joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on the U.S. side, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov on the Russian side.
US President Donald Trump (C-R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (C-L) meet during a US-Russia summit on Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. (AFP via Getty Images)
Oliver O’Connell15 August 2025 20:49
The motorcade carrying President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at a base facility ahead of their anticipated meeting and a subsequent news conference.
There was a brief photo spray before the meeting.
The two leaders sat side by side in a room at the base.
They made no statements and answered no questions as reporters shouted queries.
The reporters were quickly ushered out of the room.
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet during a US-Russia summit on Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska (AFP via Getty Images)
Oliver O’Connell15 August 2025 20:33
Oliver O’Connell15 August 2025 20:29