Trump and Putin Alaska Meeting Draws Global Attention

CBS News provides live coverage as the two presidents meet in Anchorage to discuss Ukraine and possible steps toward peace.

Trump and Putin Alaska Meeting Draws Global Attention

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss Russia's war in Ukraine. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt framed the talks as a chance for the president to walk away with a better understanding of how to end the war, while a Kremlin aide signaled that economic cooperation could be part of the agenda. The leaders were expected to hold a joint news conference after the discussions.

Ukraine's president Zelenskyy was not invited. He said talks without Ukraine will not work and urged a ceasefire. Trump said there would be very severe consequences if Russia does not agree to end the war, but offered no details. The Alaska meeting highlights ongoing diplomatic efforts amid a conflict that has unsettled Europe and tested Western unity.

The Alaska setting combines diplomacy with theater. A remote base framing a high-stakes talk sends a signal that both sides want to project control over the narrative, not just the outcome. The absence of Ukraine at the table underscores the fragile balance between dialogue and legitimacy.

The real test will be the concrete steps, not the photos. If statements stay vague, supporters at home and abroad may read the meeting as political theater rather than a path to peace. Media framing and public reaction will shape the lasting impact more than the handshake.

Highlights

Diplomacy is a long game and the clock is always running