What time and where are Trump and Putin meeting in Alaska?

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday. This will be their first face-to-face summit since 2019. The one-on-one meeting will begin at 11.30am Alaska Daylight Time (8.30pm BST) at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson with discussions expected to focus on resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. After the private meeting, both leaders will be joined by their delegations and are scheduled to hold a joint press conference.

The meeting comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Moscow. Mr Trump has expressed frustration at the lack of progress in ending the war and warning of "serious consequences" if a ceasefire is not achieved. Mr Trump has indicated that any potential peace agreement could involve territorial concessions, a suggestion Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly rejected. Reports indicate that Zelensky will not attend the Alaska summit.

While the meeting is primarily aimed at Ukraine, sources say it could also cover arms control and economic cooperation between the United States and Russia.

Anchorage's choice as the venue is significant, as the city hosts strategic US military operations in the Arctic. Some local officials have expressed concern over the summit being held so close to military installations and without representation from Ukraine, raising questions about transparency and security.

Trump has acknowledged that the talks carry a risk of failure, estimating a 25% chance that no breakthrough will be reached. Nevertheless, he emphasised that his personal engagement is the key factor bringing Putin to the negotiating table.

Analysts note that the success of the summit will largely hinge on whether both leaders can move past longstanding distrust and reach tangible agreements on the conflict.

The summit is drawing attention from the international community, with governments and observers closely monitoring developments. There is particular focus on the joint press conference, where both leaders are expected to outline the results of their discussions and address questions from the media.

Observers warn that any perceived concessions or compromises could trigger political backlash on both sides, given the domestic pressures Mr Trump faces ahead of the U.S. elections and Putin's need to maintain a strong domestic image.

Preparations for the summit have included heightened security at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, with both US and Russian security teams coordinating closely.

Anchorage's remote location is intended to minimise risks and control access, though local authorities have expressed concerns over the impact on daily operations and the visibility of military activities.

As Friday approaches, expectations remain cautious. The meeting carries the potential to advance negotiations on Ukraine or, alternatively, to deepen tensions if no agreement is reached.

Either outcome will have immediate implications for US-Russia relations, the conflict in Ukraine, and broader global security.

International leaders, analysts, and media outlets are bracing for the summit to dominate headlines, with particular attention on whether Mr Trump's direct engagement with Putin will produce results where diplomatic channels have stalled.