• The Trump–Putin meeting began at 22:33 in Alaska.
• Alongside the two U.S. and Russian presidents were the foreign ministers, Rubio and Lavrov, and the advisers, Witkoff and Ushakov.
• After this meeting, a working lunch with expanded delegations will follow, and then a press conference.
• President Putin was bombarded with questions such as “Will you continue killing civilians?” — visibly showing his irritation.
• Trump and Putin spent 10 minutes alone in the U.S. president’s limousine that transported them to the meeting venue.

In Alaska, preparations are underway for the press conference of Putin and Trump. pic.twitter.com/6HwUAbBF9U

— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 15, 2025

Wall Street session closes in anticipation

Mixed trends prevailed today on the New York Stock Exchange, as the international community’s attention is fixed on the tête-à-tête between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 34.86 points (+0.08%), at 44,946.12.
• The Nasdaq, dominated by technology stocks, closed down 87.69 points (–0.40%), at 21,622.97.
• The broader S&P 500 index, indicative of the general trend, closed down 18.74 points (–0.29%), at 6,449.80.

NBC: The difference between Putin’s reception and Zelensky’s

The American TV network NBC compared and noted significant differences in the way U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to the country on Friday versus how he received Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in February.

The network points out that Putin’s “warm” reception stands in stark contrast to the confrontation with Zelensky at the White House in the winter, when Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance criticized Zelensky for his lack of respect.

NBC: Trump and Putin spent about 10 minutes together in the U.S. president’s limousine.
Russian state media highlighted that Putin’s decision to leave his Aurus limousine and join his American counterpart in The Beast — the armored vehicle used by the sitting U.S. president — came at Trump’s invitation.

Russia 24 noted that this marked the start of the leaders’ discussions.

A Russia 24 presenter described the leaders’ first exchange as “extremely friendly toward Putin” on Trump’s part.

No interpreter in the limousine for Trump and Putin

Putin and Trump were likely in the White House limousine without an interpreter, according to the New York Times, which notes that the Russian leader speaks English well and can communicate in the language.

“Apparently, there were no translators; Putin speaks English well enough to communicate,” the paper notes, adding that the fact that the leaders of the Russian Federation and the United States were alone without an interpreter “could add mystery” to whatever they might have discussed privately.

Putin, in high spirits, laughs at something the U.S. President says to him inside the limousine.
The warmest welcome Trump has ever given to a foreign counterpart.
He applauded three times before reaching the spot where Putin was waiting for him.

Live video:

• At 22:09, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin disembarked from their respective aircraft.
• When they met on the red carpet, they exchanged a warm handshake.
• After the photographs, the U.S. and Russian presidents entered the same armored American limousine to head to the venue for their joint meeting.
• Present at the meeting will be, on the U.S. side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s chief negotiator Steve Witkoff, and on the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov.

Ao contrário do inicialmente previsto, Putin embarcou na limusine de Trump. Ambos seguirão no mesmo carro para o local da reunião na base aérea de Elmendorf, no Alasca. pic.twitter.com/x4R8KnNitc

— Hoje no Mundo Militar (@hoje_no) August 15, 2025

• Against the backdrop of the phrase “seeking peace,” the U.S. and Russian leaders will hold a joint press conference.
• Trump’s remarks before the meeting: The U.S. president set the bar for the meeting with Putin by saying he wants to see a ceasefire with Ukraine today.
• Interview with Fox News: Trump stated he would leave Alaska immediately if there were no quick results.
• Unexpected communication: Before the summit, Trump had a phone call with Putin’s close ally, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
• Reactions from Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine “will rely on America” and expressed hope for a future trilateral meeting. Some Ukrainians expressed low expectations for the summit.