Updated August 15, 2025 at 4:05 PM PDT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — President Trump has finished the first set of bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and the two leader are now holding a joint press conference.

The leaders took their positions on a stage behind two lecterns inside a press filing center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson flanked by U.S. and Russian flags. The backdrop behind them read "Pursuing Peace."

Watch: Trump and Putin address reporters

Trump, who pledged a quick end to the war in Ukraine during his 2024 campaign, touted that his long relationship with Putin would help him in discussions.

"He's a smart guy, been doing it for a long time, but so have I," Trump said on his way to Alaska. "We get along. It's a good respect level on both sides. And I t

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