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Trump and Putin exchanged a warm handshake and smiles in Alaska, ahead of their high-stakes meeting on the Ukraine conflict. The summit yielded no breakthrough.
A B-2 bomber soared overhead as Trump welcomed Putin in Alaska.
Russian President Vladimir Putin received a warm welcome from US President Donald Trump at the red carpet in Anchorage, Alaska, with a handshake and smiles, which set the tone for their three-hour discussion on the future of the Ukraine conflict.
As the two leaders met at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage under a banner reading “Pursuing Peace”, B-2 bombers and F-22 Raptors roared past overhead, a likely show of American military power. Observers say the bomber was intended to remind Putin of US military power.
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Trump deboarded Air Force One and waited for Putin, who walked towards the US President after getting off his plane. The two leaders shook hands and walked towards the stage with “Alaska 2025″ written on it as the fleet of B-2 Bomber and F-22 Raptors soared above.
The leaders ignored the questions shouted by the reporters. When a reporter asked Putin if he would stop killing civilians, Putin smirked and pointed to his ear. Both leaders left in President Trump’s ‘Beast’. It is unusual to see the leaders of two superpowers — in this case adversaries — ride in the same limousine.
ALSO READ: Trump’s Call To Pause Ukraine War, Putin’s Moscow Invite: 10 Takeaways From 3-Hour Alaska Talks
What Are B-2 Bombers?
The B-2 Spirit, commonly known as the B-2 stealth bomber, is a groundbreaking aircraft that has served as a cornerstone of American airpower and stealth technology for more than 30 years. First taking to the skies in 1989, the B-2 remains one of the most formidable and survivable strategic bombers in the world.
The aircraft was specifically engineered to penetrate dense and sophisticated enemy air defense systems, allowing it to strike heavily fortified targets with minimal detection risk. It can fly up to 6,000 nautical miles without refueling, and its range can be further extended through aerial refueling, enabling long-duration missions deep into hostile territory.
The B-2 Bombers were recently used when the US military launched an unprecedented attack on Iran’s nuclear sites in June, as Tehran was embroiled in a conflict with Israel. The strike team of seven B-2 bombers completed a non-stop 37-hour round trip to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz, and returned safely to Missouri.
Putin-Trump Talks
Trump and Putin held talks over the Ukraine conflict for nearly three hours, but it produced no agreement to halt the ongoing war but ended with an unexpected invitation for Trump to continue discussions in Moscow.
The meeting was a sign of renewed US-Russia talks after years of tensions, particularly during Joe Biden’s term. Putin publicly stated that the Ukraine war would not have happened if Trump was the president in 2022, instead of Joe Biden.
Trump said he would now consult Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy as well as NATO leaders, who have voiced unease about the US leader’s outreach to Putin.
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
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