Anchorage, Alaska — The usually calm summer skies over Anchorage were filled with anticipation on Friday morning as two of the world’s most powerful — and controversial — leaders landed within hours of each other for what is being described as one of the most consequential diplomatic meetings of the decade.

Shortly before 8:00 a.m. local time, Air Force One touched down at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, carrying U.S. President Donald Trump. Dressed in his signature dark suit and red tie, Trump waved briefly to reporters before being escorted to a motorcade that whisked him away to a secure location in downtown Anchorage. Just over two hours later, a Russian Ilyushin Il-96 carrying President Vladimir Putin arrived under tight security. Putin, wearing a dark overcoat despite the mild weather, stepped off the plane with a stoic expression, flanked by senior Kremlin aides.

The summit, scheduled to begin later this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Alaska time (11:00 p.m. GMT), will be held behind closed doors at a heavily guarded military facility. Sources close to both delegations say the primary focus will be negotiating a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, but other topics — including arms control agreements, sanctions relief, and energy cooperation — are expected to surface.

A City on Edge and in the Spotlight

Anchorage, a city of just under 300,000 residents, has been transformed into a fortress over the past 48 hours. Roads near the summit venue have been closed, military checkpoints dot the streets, and helicopters buzz overhead. Yet the mood on the ground is mixed — some residents lined the streets early in the morning hoping for a glimpse of the motorcades, while others voiced skepticism about whether the meeting will bring meaningful change.

Local businesses have been quick to capitalize on the international spotlight, with coffee shops offering “Peace Blend” specials and souvenir stands selling “Anchorage 2025 Summit” mugs. At the same time, small groups of protesters have gathered in city parks, waving Ukrainian flags and holding signs reading “No Deals Without Kyiv.”

What’s at Stake

President Trump has described the meeting as a “chance to stop the killing” in Ukraine, hinting at a possible framework where Ukraine receives security guarantees without formal NATO membership — an idea that Kyiv has not openly endorsed. For his part, Putin is expected to push for the lifting of Western sanctions and recognition of Russian control over territories seized since 2022.

International reaction has been cautious. European leaders are watching closely, wary that any agreement made without Ukraine at the table could undermine the nation’s sovereignty. In Kyiv, the mood is one of unease. Many Ukrainians fear that decisions affecting their country’s future are being made thousands of miles away, without their direct involvement.

The Hours Ahead

The summit’s first session will begin with a one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin, followed by an expanded session with key aides. A joint press conference is tentatively scheduled for 7:00 p.m. local time — though both sides have made it clear that the final outcome will depend on how talks progress.

As the clock ticks toward the opening handshake, the world waits to see whether this meeting in the far reaches of Alaska will mark a turning point in the war in Ukraine — or become another chapter in the long history of tense U.S.-Russia relations.