Christiane Cordero, ABC News — Updated
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin exchanged handshakes and smiles at an Alaska air base on Friday as they launched a high-stakes summit. The brief public greeting opened talks that carry significant diplomatic risk.
Significance of the Meeting
The meeting is seen as a major test of President Trump’s pledge to bring an end to the bloody war in Ukraine. Observers say the outcome of the summit could shape expectations about any progress toward de-escalation.
Details of the Encounter
Held at an air base in Alaska, the encounter marked a rare face-to-face moment between the two leaders as they begin discussions aimed at addressing the conflict in Ukraine.