Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's summit in Alaska began with a carefully orchestrated opening. Each leader arrived separately, greeted by a warm handshake on the tarmac. They exchanged friendly pats on the arm and paused to observe a military flyover, which included a B-2 bomber. As they walked down the steps, Trump was seen placing a hand on Putin's back.

In a notable departure from protocol, the two leaders shared a ride in Trump's armored limousine, known as "The Beast." This marked their first significant in-person conversation since the Group of 20 summit in Japan six years ago. The short journey from the tarmac to the summit site at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson lasted less than ten minutes, providing them with a rare opportunity for private dialogue away from aides and media scrutiny.

It remains unclear whether this ride was pre-planned or a spontaneous decision. The White House did not respond to inquiries about the arrangement. Prior to their departure, Trump and Putin posed for photographs while reporters shouted questions. One reporter asked if Putin would "still be killing civilians," to which the Russian president responded by shaking his head, indicating he could not hear. Trump then gestured for Putin to join him in the vehicle.

As the limousine pulled away, Putin was seen smiling through the window. Nearby, the Russian presidential limousine awaited. At the summit site, a blue-walled room was prepared for their discussions, decorated with American and Russian flags. A backdrop read "PURSUING PEACE" in bold letters. Trump was accompanied by an interpreter, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin's team included Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov.

The formal summit commenced shortly before 11:30 a.m. local time. Key issues on the agenda included the future of Ukraine, peace in Europe, and the economic relations between Russia and its trading partners. The discussions are critical, especially with the looming threat of increased U.S. financial penalties if negotiations do not yield positive results. While the formal talks had just begun, the private conversation during their ride may have already set the tone for the discussions ahead.