Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Get unlimited access to 9,500+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just

$149.99
 
$74.99/Year

Try GOLD - Free

Who's who: The aides and power brokers to face off in Alaska

The Guardian

|

August 16, 2025

As Vladimir Putin landed in Alaska yesterday for his high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump, he was flanked by some of the most powerful figures in the Kremlin's inner circle – a team of seasoned political operators, financial strategists, and diplomatic enforcers who have helped shape Russia's foreign and economic policy for more than two decades, including old guard loyalists and younger financial power brokers.

- Pjotr Sauer

Trump was also accompanied by a cadre of his most trusted advisers, among them a property mogul, a former hedge fund billionaire, and the country's top diplomat.

Despite earlier media reports, Trump's vice-president, JD Vance, and his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, were not listed in the official delegation.

Russian delegation Sergei Lavrov Foreign minister The 75-year-old has been in post since 2004, making him one of the longest-tenured senior diplomats in the world. Known for his gravel-voiced delivery and combative press conferences, Lavrov has been central to crafting and defending Moscow's foreign policy from the Iraq war to the annexation of Crimea and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A career diplomat who joined the Soviet foreign service in 1972, he spent a decade as Russia's ambassador to the UN.

Yuri Ushakov Foreign policy adviser Ushakov, 78, is a veteran presidential aide and one of Putin's most trusted foreign policy advisers.

A career diplomat with a long focus on Washington, he served as Russia's ambassador to the US from 1998 to 2008.

Known for his calm demeanor and deep institutional memory, Ushakov has served as a behind-the-scenes strategist, frequently supplying the president's talking points to state media.

MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian

The Guardian

Donald claims US fans may turn on home team over pay

Luke Donald has cranked up the heat on the United States Ryder Cup team by claiming the home crowd at Bethpage may be more likely to turn on Keegan Bradley and his players because they are being paid to take on Europe.

time to read

2 mins

September 22, 2025

The Guardian

UK soldier accused of murder of Kenyan woman in 2012 named

The British soldier accused of murdering the Kenyan woman Agnes Wanjiru in 2012 has been named as Robert James Purkiss.

time to read

2 mins

September 22, 2025

The Guardian

Afghanistan Islamic schools show grip that Taliban has on life of girls

When the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, Nahid, 24, was midway through an economics degree. She had hoped to work in a university after she graduated.

time to read

3 mins

September 22, 2025

The Guardian

Planned rise in fossil fuel production 'puts climate goals at risk'

The big increase in coal, gas and oil extraction planned by governments around the world will put climate goals beyond reach, data has shown.

time to read

2 mins

September 22, 2025

The Guardian

Oxford Street traffic ban trial start of 'fightback', says London mayor

The mayor of London has said a one-day trial banning traffic from part of Oxford Street marks \"the day the fightback began to rescue this street\".

time to read

1 min

September 22, 2025

The Guardian

Goodbye to Beard: 'Del Boy' who led Liverpool to glory

Popular coach who believed in the women's game when few did and cared for his players like daughters

time to read

4 mins

September 22, 2025

The Guardian

Leak reveals Duchess of York's apology to Epstein after disowning him

The Duchess of York “humbly” apologised to her “dear friend” Jeffrey Epstein a month after publicly disowning the convicted sex offender, according to leaked emails.

time to read

1 mins

September 22, 2025

The Guardian

British startup joins Nissan to test self-driving cars in Tokyo

The British startup Wayve has begun testing self-driving cars with Nissan in Japan before a 2027 launch to consumers as the company said it was in talks for a $500m (£370m) investment from the chip maker Nvidia.

time to read

2 mins

September 22, 2025

The Guardian

Many Britons view AI as risk to economy, says Tony Blair thinktank

Nearly twice as many Britons view artificial intelligence as a risk to the economy than regard it as an opportunity, according to Tony Blair's thinktank.

time to read

2 mins

September 22, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Skinner and Slegers pay tribute to Beard after stalemate

Managers Marc Skinner and Renée Slegers paid tribute to the warmth and “larger-than-life character” of Matt Beard after their teams Manchester United and Arsenal played out a goalless draw on a sombre afternoon for the Women’s Super League.

time to read

3 mins

September 22, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size