Trump's 'high stakes' face-to-face with Putin

DONALD Trump and Vladimir Putin were locked in talks in Alaska last night on ending the war in Ukraine.

- By StephSpyro Deputy Political Editor

The US leader met the Russian president face-to-face for the first time in six years in a bid to bring peace following Moscow’s invasion in February 2022.

Mr Trump greeted Putin with a warm handshake and a smile after the US president landed in Anchorage ahead of his Russian counterpart.

He clapped as the Russian President approached him on a red carpet before posing for photos on the runway.

The two leaders then got into Mr Trump’s presidential car, known as The Beast, together and smiled for the cameras as it drove away. At one point Mr Trump reached over and patted the top of Putin’s hand.

The leaders then appeared side-by-side at the Anchorage airbase in front of reporters, who frantically shouted out questions.

In scenes of chaos, a voice could be heard repeatedly saying “Thank you, press” before another man shouted “Everybody get out of the room!”

The US Air Force performed a flypast in honour of the meeting as the Russian president took his first steps on American soil in 10 years. In the centre of the five aircraft flying in formation was a B-2 stealth bomber — the aircraft that was used to drop “bunker-busting bombs” on Iranian nuclear sites in June. The noise of the flyover drowned out the questions being shouted from reporters as Mr Trump and Putin posed for cameras together on a stage.

They then departed to begin peace talks.

According to a lipreader, Putin told Mr Trump on the red carpet: “I am here to help you.” Mr Trump then responded: “I'll help you.” Nicola Hickling told the Express: “Trump says ‘Finally’ and, as they shake hands, he adds, ‘You made it, fantastic to see you and appreciated’ followed by a sharp intake of breath through his teeth. Putin responds ‘Thank you - and you. I am here to help you’. Trump replies ‘I'll help you’.”