Trump, Putin End Meeting, Hope Rises for Ceasefire

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for a half-hour summit in Alaska, where they exchanged handshakes and smiles before riding in the presidential limousine. The meeting aimed to end the war in Ukraine, with Putin offering a broad smile and warm reception despite being responsible for the conflict.

The two leaders shared the limo known as "The Beast" and engaged in a friendly exchange, raising concerns among European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While Trump and Putin excluded Zelenskyy from the discussion on Ukraine, the latter expressed hope for a peaceful resolution.

Trump's reputation as a dealmaker was put to the test, with Putin seizing the opportunity to negotiate a deal that would benefit Russia. The meeting also included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, with hopes of finding a solution to the ongoing conflict.