Trump-Putin summit began with cozy chat alone in 'The Beast'

Derek Wallbank, Bloomberg News on Aug 15, 2025

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Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s summit in Alaska started with a very stage-managed opening — each leader descending from their respective airplanes, a visibly warm handshake on the tarmac. Pats on the arm. A military overfly.

Then things veered off script.

Putin slipped into the back of the U.S. president’s armored limousine, known as "the Beast," alongside Trump. As the car slowly pulled away, the two began their first substantial in-person conversation since the Group of 20 in Japan six years ago essentially alone — out of earshot of their aides, officials and the assembled world media.

The short ride from the tarmac to the summit room at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a U.S. military facility, took less than 10 minutes. But it gave both leaders the chance for the most private of conversations at a meeting the whole world is watching and studying intensely.

It was unclear whether their ride together was planned, or a last-second improvisation by the pair. The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

On a podium moments earlier, Trump and Putin posed for photographs as reporters shouted out questions. One yelled whether Putin would “still be killing civilians” but the Russian president pointed to his ear and shook his head that he couldn’t hear.

Trump then called time and gestured for Putin to walk with him toward the vehicle. The Russian leader was captured by the cameras smiling through the window as it drew away.

The Russian presidential limousine stood nearby.

At the summit site, a blue-walled room was set up for the talks, adorned with American and Russian flags. Text on the backdrop behind the two leaders read “PURSUING PEACE” in all capital letters. Next to Trump were an interpreter, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. On Putin’s side, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov.

Shortly before 11:30 a.m. local time, the formal summit began. At stake: the future of Ukraine, peace in Europe, and the economies of Russia and its trading partners, under threat of increased U.S. financial penalties if talks fail.

In practice, the actual discussions had already started. Only Trump and Putin may know what was said.

(Hadriana Lowenkron contributed to this report.)