Trump-Putin Summit Began With Cozy Chat Alone in ‘The Beast’

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin walk off a stage after arriving at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska on Aug. 15.Photographer: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

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By Derek Wallbank

August 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM EDT

Updated on

August 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM EDT

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s summit in Alaska started with a very stage-managed opening — each leader descending from their respective airplanes, a visibly warm handshake on the tarmac. Pats on the arm. A military overfly.

Then things veered off script.