JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska 鈥� 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.
Trump and Putin appeared briefly at what was billed as a joint news conference 鈥� though neither took questions. They offered generalities about an "understanding" and "progress," while praising one another from lecterns positioned unusually far apart before a backdrop displaying the phrase "Pursuing peace."
Trump 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 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.
Reception far different than Zelenskyy's
The pomp and planes may have been intended to remind the Russian leader of U.S. military might. They also underscored the dramatic contrast between Trump's treatment of Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a U.S. ally whom Trump berated for being "disrespectful" during an extraordinary Oval Office meeting in February.
That visit ended without the leaders signing a planned deal on rare earth minerals or holding a joint news conference after Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House by top Trump advisers.
"You're gambling with World War III, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country 鈥� this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have," Trump scolded Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian leader tried to warn Trump that Putin could not be trusted.
Since then, Trump voiced more frustration with Putin as Russian strikes on Ukraine ramped up, writing "Vladimir, STOP!" on social media and even declaring that the Russian leader "has gone absolutely CRAZY!"
Little of that frustration was visible Friday at the greeting of the two leaders, who have long had a friendly relationship that Trump critics view as highly suspect.
Hours later, after the meeting between officials from both countries, Trump and Putin filed into a room of journalists and the American and Russian delegations.
Putin spoke first, saying they reached an "understanding" on Ukraine but offered no details. He agreed with Trump's long-repeated assertion that Russia never would have invaded Ukraine in 2022 had Trump been president instead of Democrat Joe Biden.
"I say that because President Trump and I have established a strong, trusting and practical relationship," Putin said.
He reiterated Moscow's position that it is "sincerely interested in putting an end" to the war in Ukraine 鈥� but only after "all the root causes of the crisis" are "eliminated."
"I would like to hope that the understanding we have reached will allow us to get closer to that goal and open the way to peace in Ukraine," Putin said in Russian, without elaborating.
Related
After they met for about 2陆 hours in Alaska, Putin said he and Trump reached an 鈥渦nderstanding鈥� on the war. Neither shared details.
Trump listened with a translation in one ear. He spoke second, telling reporters that he's "always had a fantastic relationship" with Putin.
The U.S. president said "some great progress" had been made during "an extremely productive meeting." Trump said "many points were agreed to" and that "just a very few" issues were left to resolve. He did not offer specifics.
He also made no reference to the ceasefire he sought and did not criticize Putin over the killing of Ukrainian civilians as he stood on the world stage.
As they wrapped up, Putin said he hoped the two would meet again soon. "Next time in Moscow," he said in English, then chuckled.