First came the red carpet, then the warm handshakes, friendly smiles and military planes flying overhead.
Finally, President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin climbed into the back seat of Trump’s presidential limousine, casually chatting like reunited friends as they were whisked away to talks about the future of the Russia-Ukraine war.
It was a greeting fit for the closest U.S. allies. Instead it was rolled out for an adversarial leader who launched the largest land war in Europe since World War II and is seen as one of America’s most vexing foes.
Hours later, however, their interactions seemed more muted after they emerged from talks.
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Trump and Putin appeared briefly at what had been billed as a joint news conference — though neither took questions. They offered generalities about an “understanding” and “progress,” while praising one another from podiums positioned unusually far apart before a backdrop displaying the phrase “pursuing peace.”
Trump has repeatedly implored Putin to end the invasion of Ukraine and agree to a ceasefire after insisting during last year’s campaign that he would be able to end the conflict in 24 hours. Trump made clear in recent weeks that he is unhappy with Russia’s more than 3-year-old offensive, and he had threatened “severe consequences” and additional sanctions if progress were not made Friday.
The tensions between the two leaders were not apparent from their clasped hands and grins as Trump welcomed Putin back to U.S. soil for the first time in a decade. But as they parted, little was known about what comes next.
In a carefully choreographed scene at an Alaska military base, the men emerged from their respective planes nearly simultaneously and walked shoulder to shoulder along a red carpet unfurled on the tarmac.
Trump wore a ruby red tie. Putin wore burgundy.
Trump briefly applauded Putin while he awaited their greeting. His hand was outstretched as Putin approached, and they exchanged a lengthy handshake, patting each others’ elbows, chatting and smiling.
That is when F-22s fighter jets and a B-2 bomber flew overhead at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.
The stealth warplanes were designed in part for a possible conflict with the Soviet Union. Neither plane entered active service until after the Cold War ended, but their development began in the 1970s and 1980s during the height of the U.S.-Soviet rivalry.
They ignored shouted questions from reporters as they stood on a platform emblazoned with the words “Alaska 2025” for a photo-op and another handshake.
Read also: Russia hopes for improving ties with U.S. after Putin-Trump Alaska summit
“President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?” one shouted. Putin gestured to his ear, suggesting he couldn’t hear the question.
Trump, playing up his role as host, then directed Putin to where the U.S. presidential limousine was waiting. The two got into the back seat and could be seen chatting through the darkened windows.
As the motorcade pulled away, Putin grinned.
