Alaska moment: Trump, Putin shake hands ahead of Ukraine talks

President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin shook hands warmly at the start of their Alaska summit on Friday before heading into hours of discussions that could reshape the war in Ukraine and relations between Moscow and Washington. The leaders greeted each other on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, where officials erected a special stage, with a large “Alaska 2025” sign flanked by parked fighter jets and red carpets. Uniformed military members stood at attention nearby. B-2s and F-22s — military aircraft designed to oppose Russia during the Cold War — were flying over to mark the moment.