Behind the Alaska Summit: 10 striking White House photos capturing Putin’s calm vs Trump’s stern stare
WASHINGTON, DC: The White House has published a collection of behind-the-scenes images capturing moments surrounding President Donald Trump’s recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Taken by official White House photographer Daniel Torok, the 72 images offer an inside glimpse into both the high-stakes negotiations and the more relaxed moments that framed the historic meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.
1. The red carpet welcome for Putin in Alaska
Several pictures from the White House showed Trump and Putin’s arrival at the military base. Trump greeted Putin on the runway at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, clapping as he arrived before the two leaders shook hands and smiled.
In a carefully choreographed moment, Trump descended the steps of Air Force One just moments before Putin came down the steps of his plane, stepping onto US soil for the first time in about a decade.
The scene marked a rare moment for Putin, who has been shunned by much of the West since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with his foreign travel largely restricted to allies such as North Korea and Belarus.
2. The joint press conference
In what was billed by the White House as a press conference following their meeting, Trump and Putin took no questions, however in a rare public use of English, the Russian president invited the US president to Moscow at the end of their joint press conference in Alaska.
"Ooh, that's an interesting one," Trump responded. "I don't know. I'll get a little heat on that one. But I can see it possibly happening."
3. The flight to Anchorage
Other shots reveal Trump and his senior aides aboard Air Force One during their seven-hour flight to Anchorage, where the atmosphere appeared focused yet calm.
En route to Anchorage, Trump told Fox News he “won’t be happy” without a ceasefire deal — but after nearly three hours behind closed doors, the two leaders emerged with no agreement.
4. The president's men and women
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff were also photographed conferring with Trump and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in the president’s private office before taking part in the summit alongside Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Kremlin adviser Yury Ushakov.
5. ‘Alaska 2025’
Air Force One landed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson at 2:22 pm ET (10:22 am local time) after a little over six hours in the air. The plane carrying Putin touched down in Anchorage shortly before 3 pm ET (11 am local time). Trump awaited his arrival on Air Force One.
On the tarmac, a lengthy red carpet was flanked by four fighter jets, leading to a platform with "Alaska 2025" written on the front. Once Putin reached the base, the two leaders posed for photo ops atop the platform.
6. Trump shows who's boss
Among the most memorable images released by the White House is a black and white image of Trump gesturing firmly toward Putin backstage before their joint press conference, his finger aimed squarely at the Russian leader’s chest as a translator looked on.
7. Trump lets his softer side show
Later shots captured pictures of the leaders engrossed in candid hallway conversations inside the sprawling installation. Seen here is another exchange after the conference, where Trump, seen from behind, appears to place a hand on Putin’s shoulder as the two prepared to part ways.
8. Fighter jets and flyovers
Another powerful image documented the US Air Force’s display of strength: a B-2 stealth bomber flanked by F-22 fighter jets flying overhead shortly after Trump and Putin shook hands on the tarmac.
Later, in an unusual moment, Putin joined Trump in his presidential limo, known as The Beast, with seemingly no aides or interpreters present. Putin smiled as the vehicle pulled away.
9. Dwarfed by 'The Beast'
One picture shows Putin’s limousine, the Aurus Senat. parked beside “The Beast,” the armored car used by Trump, offering a visual contrast between the two leaders’ vehicles.
10. Putin has a moment to spare
Putin was seen pausing to admire artwork of reindeer on an icy landscape inside the Cold War–era military base once used to track the Soviet Union.
After their nearly three-hour discussion in Alaska, Trump claimed “great progress” had been achieved toward halting Russia’s war in Ukraine, though he admitted no agreement was finalized.
