JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP) — First got here the pink carpet, then the nice and cozy handshakes, pleasant smiles and navy planes flying overhead.
Lastly, President Donald Trump and Russian chief Vladimir Putin climbed into the again seat of Trump’s presidential limousine, casually chatting like reunited pals as they had been whisked away to talks about the way forward for the Russia-Ukraine struggle.
WATCH: What Trump and Putin said – and didn’t say – after their meeting in Alaska
It was a greeting match for the closest U.S. allies. As an alternative it was rolled out for an adversarial chief who launched the most important land struggle in Europe since World Conflict II and is seen as one among America’s most vexing foes.
Hours later, nevertheless, their interactions appeared extra muted after they emerged from talks.
Trump and Putin appeared briefly at what had been billed as a joint information convention — although neither took questions. They supplied generalities about an “understanding” and “progress,” whereas praising each other from podiums positioned unusually far aside earlier than a backdrop displaying the phrase “Pursuing peace.”
Trump has repeatedly implored Putin to finish the invasion of Ukraine and conform to a ceasefire after insisting throughout final 12 months’s marketing campaign that he would have the ability to finish the battle in 24 hours. Trump made clear in current weeks that he’s sad with Russia’s greater than 3-year-old offensive, and he had threatened “extreme penalties” and extra sanctions if progress weren’t made Friday.
The tensions between the 2 leaders weren’t obvious from their clasped arms and grins as Trump welcomed Putin again to U.S. soil for the primary time in a decade. However as they parted, little was recognized about what comes subsequent.
Summit opens with heat and pomp
In a rigorously choreographed scene at an Alaska navy base, the boys emerged from their respective planes almost concurrently and walked shoulder to shoulder alongside a pink carpet unfurled on the tarmac.
Trump wore a ruby pink tie. Putin wore burgundy.
Trump briefly applauded Putin whereas he awaited their greeting. His hand was outstretched as Putin approached, and so they exchanged a prolonged handshake, patting every others’ elbows, chatting and smiling.
That’s when F-22s fighter jets and a B-2 bomber flew overhead at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.
The stealth warplanes had been designed partially for a doable battle with the Soviet Union. Neither aircraft entered energetic service till after the Chilly Conflict ended, however their growth started within the Nineteen Seventies and Nineteen Eighties throughout the top of the U.S.-Soviet rivalry.
They ignored shouted questions from reporters as they stood on a platform emblazoned with the phrases “Alaska 2025” for a photo-op and one other handshake.
“President Putin, will you cease killing civilians?” one shouted. Putin gestured to his ear, suggesting he couldn’t hear the query.
Trump, taking part in up his position as host, then directed Putin to the place the U.S. presidential limousine was ready. The 2 acquired into the again seat and might be seen chatting by means of the darkened home windows.
Because the motorcade pulled away, Putin grinned.
A reception far totally different than Zelenskyy’s
The pomp and planes could have been meant to remind the Russian chief of U.S. navy would possibly. However in addition they underscored the dramatic distinction between Trump’s therapy of Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a U.S. ally whom Trump berated for being “disrespectful” throughout a rare Oval Workplace assembly in February.
That go to ended with out the leaders signing a deliberate deal on uncommon earth minerals or holding a joint information convention after Zelenskyy was requested to go away the White Home by high Trump advisers.
“You’re playing with World Conflict III, and what you’re doing could be very disrespectful to the nation — this nation that’s backed you way over lots of people say they need to have,” Trump scolded Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian chief tried to warn Trump that Putin couldn’t be trusted.
Since then, Trump has voiced extra frustration with Putin as Russian strikes on Ukraine ramped up, writing “Vladimir, STOP!” on social media and even declaring that the Russian chief “has gone completely CRAZY!”
However little of that frustration was seen Friday on the greeting of the 2 leaders, who’ve lengthy had a pleasant relationship that Trump critics view as extremely suspect.
The information convention with no questions
Hours later, after the assembly between officers from each international locations, Trump and Putin filed right into a room of journalists and the American and Russian delegations.
Putin spoke first, saying they’d reached an “understanding” on Ukraine however supplied no particulars. He agreed with Trump’s long-repeated assertion that Russia by no means would have invaded Ukraine in 2022 had Trump been president as an alternative of Democrat Joe Biden.
WATCH: Trump and Putin hold joint news conference after meeting in Alaska
“I say that as a result of President Trump and I’ve established a robust, trusting and sensible relationship,” Putin stated.
He reiterated Moscow’s place that it’s “sincerely considering placing an finish” to the struggle in Ukraine — however solely after “all the foundation causes of the disaster” are “eradicated.”
“I wish to hope that the understanding we’ve got reached will enable us to get nearer to that purpose and open the way in which to peace in Ukraine,” Putin stated in Russian, with out elaborating.
Trump listened with a translation in a single ear. He spoke second, telling reporters that he’s “at all times had a implausible relationship” with Putin.
The U.S. president stated “some nice progress” had been made throughout “an especially productive assembly.” Trump stated “many factors had been agreed to” and that “only a only a few” points had been left to resolve. He didn’t supply specifics.
He additionally made no reference to the ceasefire he’s been in search of and didn’t criticize Putin over the killing of Ukrainian civilians as he stood on the world stage.
As they wrapped up, Putin stated he hoped the 2 would meet once more quickly.
“Subsequent time in Moscow,” he stated in English, then chuckled.
Journalists raised their arms and shouted questions, taking cellphone video of the leaders as they shook arms as soon as once more and walked out.
Colvin reported from New York. Related Press author Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
