• Trump and Putin met in Alaska to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine.
• The summit featured a ceremonial greeting and military flyover.
• European nations and Ukraine are closely monitoring the discussions.
• The meeting format shifted from one-on-one to include aides from both sides.
• Both leaders were seen smiling and engaging in conversation during the summit.

On August 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin commenced their highly anticipated summit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska. The meeting, aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, started with a warm handshake and mutual greetings as the leaders walked down a red carpet, complemented by a flyover of F-22 and B-2 bombers, which served as a reminder of U.S. military capabilities, according to Newsweek and ABC News.

As both leaders were welcomed, they shared a moment of conviviality, appearing to exchange words while overlooking ignored questions from reporters on-site. This moment was notable, especially considering the tension surrounding the war in Ukraine, which has drawn the attention of European nations and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is not present at the summit, Newsweek, TRT Global, and ABC News report.

The summit format marked a shift from previous meetings, evolving from a one-on-one discussion to a "three-on-three" framework involving aides. Trump was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, while Putin was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and advisor Yuri Ushakov. The selection of the Joint Base for this meeting underscores the strategic military significance and the stakes involved as discussions over peace and resolution in Ukraine continue, according to TRT Global and ABC News.