Who are the US and Russian delegates meeting in Alaska to discuss Ukraine?
The delegation, a mix of old guard loyalists and younger financial power brokers, hints at Putin's desire to woo Trump and dangle financial incentives for siding with Moscow on Ukraine.
Trump will also be accompanied by a cadre of his most trusted advisers, among them a property mogul, a former hedge fund billionaire and the country's top diplomat. Despite earlier media reports, Trump's vice-president JD Vance and his defence secretary Pete Hegseth were not listed in the official delegation.
The US president has long prized loyalty over experience, and many in Kyiv and the west are uneasy about the lack of seasoned Russia experts with real influence in the White House.
Ultimately, though, the summit will come down to a face-to-face meeting between the two men – and putting Trump alone in a room with Putin has always been an unpredictable, and potentially dangerous, affair.
Foreign minister
The 75-year-old has been in post since 2004, making him one of the longest-tenured senior diplomats in the world. Known for his gravel-voiced delivery and combative press conferences, Lavrov has been central to crafting and defending Moscow's foreign policy from the Iraq war to the annexation of Crimea and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A career diplomat who joined the Soviet foreign service in 1972, he spent a decade as Russia's ambassador to the United Nations before assuming his current post.
Once regarded in western capitals as a pragmatic and highly capable diplomat, Lavrov has adopted an increasingly confrontational and at times belligerent tone in tandem with the radicalised politics of Putin's Kremlin.
Foreign policy adviser
Ushakov, 78, is a veteran presidential aide and one of Putin's most trusted foreign policy advisers. A career diplomat with fluent English and a long focus on Washington, he served as Russia's ambassador to the US from 1998 to 2008.
Known for his calm demeanour and deep institutional memory, Ushakov has served as a behind-the-scenes strategist, coordinating Putin's international engagements and frequently supplying the president's talking points to state media.
Defence minister
The 66-year-old is one of the few technocrats to ascend to the Kremlin's top security posts.
His surprise appointment in 2024 to replace the longtime incumbent Sergei Shoigu was perceived as an attempt by the Kremlin to rein in corruption in the armed forces and to accelerate the transformation of Russia's militarised economy into a full-scale war economy, now expanding at double-digit rates.
An economist by training, contemporaries describe Belousov as a deeply religious and loyal technocrat who keeps Orthodox icons and theological books in his modest office.
Russian Direct Investment Fund chief
At 50, Dmitriev is a relatively new kid on the Kremlin block, yet has emerged as a key operator between Moscow and the business-oriented Trump administration. US-educated, with stints at Stanford University and Harvard Business School, Dmitriev heads the Kremlin's $10bn sovereign wealth fund and has openly boasted of his links to American business elites.
He has personal ties to Putin's family – his wife, Natalya Popova, is a close friend of one of the president's daughters.
In Alaska, he is expected to pitch ambitious plans for economic and infrastructure cooperation in the Arctic, tempting Trump with the prospect of a lucrative entente between two great powers.
Dmitriev's rapid rise and overt outreach to Washington have unsettled the Kremlin's old guard, with reports of friction with senior foreign ministry figures, including Lavrov.
Finance minister
Siluanov, 62, has been in his post since 2011 and is a key architect of the Kremlin's efforts to keep the economy afloat in the face of the invasion of Ukraine and western sanctions.
Siluanov has been tasked with making Russia's economy as sanction-proof as possible, and he popularised the term 'fortress economy' in Kremlin circles to describe this drive for sanction resilience.
But while sanctions have not brought Russia's economy to its knees, growth has slowed sharply, and Siluanov's surprise inclusion in the Alaska delegation signals Moscow's priority of securing the lifting of western restrictions as part of any peace deal.
Secretary of state
Once a staunch critic of Trump, the 54-year-old former Florida senator is now one of his closest allies.
Over time, Rubio's influence has grown, with his appointment in May as acting national security adviser making him the first person since Henry Kissinger to hold both posts simultaneously. His more traditional hawkish stance on China and Russia has made him a valued interlocutor in Europe and Kyiv, but it could set him on a collision course with pro-Russia voices in Trump's inner circle.
CIA director
John Ratcliffe, 59, is a former Republican congressman from Texas who served as Trump's director of national intelligence from 2020 to 2021. His nomination to lead the country's spy agency in 2025 drew bipartisan support, with lawmakers across the aisle viewing him as well-qualified for the role.
A staunch Trump ally, Ratcliffe rose to prominence by championing hardline conservative positions, advocating for a more aggressive intelligence posture and stressing the strategic threat posed by China.
In Trump's second term, Ratcliffe has taken a measured approach to the war in Ukraine. Aligning with Trump's efforts to broker a peace deal with Russia and apply pressure on Kyiv, he has at times backed a temporary pause in US intelligence support as a way to spur negotiations. Yet he has also acknowledged Ukraine's resilience, saying its military has been consistently underestimated and that 'they will fight with their bare hands if they have to'.
Special envoy to Ukraine and the Middle East
Trump's 68-year-old special envoy is a name that sends shivers through Kyiv and European capitals.
Appointed in 2025, he has swiftly become Trump's de facto interlocutor with Putin, despite having no diplomatic experience. In past interviews, Witkoff – who travels to the Kremlin alone and without his own interpreters – has echoed Moscow's talking points on the war and appeared to legitimise Russia's territorial gains in Ukraine.
A former New York real-estate lawyer turned property tycoon, Witkoff met Trump in the 1980s while working on one of his Manhattan deals. The two have remained close ever since and Witkoff is fiercely loyal to the president.
Treasury secretary
Scott Bessent, 62, a billionaire investor and longtime Republican donor, has quietly emerged as one of the most influential figures in Trump's economic orbit. A former chief investment officer at Soros Fund Management, he has been tasked with navigating Trump's chaotic and often unpredictable approach to tariffs. In Alaska, Bessent is expected to explore economic incentives and investment arrangements that could be offered to Moscow in exchange for concessions – a reminder that this meeting is as much about money as it is about geopolitics.
Secretary of commerce
Lutnick, 63, is a Wall Street power broker turned political appointee, a blunt, hard-driving negotiator with a taste for the spotlight. He joined Trump's second administration in early 2025 as a loyalist outsider, bringing no government experience but deep connections across business and capital markets. Very close to Trump, reportedly speaking with him most nights, Lutnick's inclusion, like that of Bessent, underscores Washington's appetite to extract economic gains from the summit.
Apart from the five heavyweights, Trump's delegation features 11 other officials, among them his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and press secretary, Karoline Leavitt.
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The Herald Scotland
a few seconds ago
- The Herald Scotland
U-turn as Trump administration agrees to keep Washington police chief in place
The order came after officials in the nation's capital sued on Friday to block President Donald Trump's takeover of the capital's police. Donald Trump (Jae C Hong/AP) The night before, his administration had escalated its intervention into the city's law enforcement by naming a federal official as the new emergency head of the department, essentially placing the police force under full control of the federal government. The attorney general's new order represents a partial retreat for the Trump administration in the face of intense scepticism from a judge over the legality of Ms Bondi's earlier directive, but she also signalled the administration would continue to pressure DC leaders to help federal authorities aggressively pursue immigrants in the country illegally, despite city laws that limit co-operation between police and immigration authorities. In a social media post on Friday evening, Ms Bondi criticised DC attorney general Brian Schwalb, saying he 'continues to oppose our efforts to improve public safety', but she added: 'We remain committed to working closely with Mayor Bowser.' Mayor Muriel Bowser's office said late on Friday that it was still evaluating how it can comply with the new Bondi order on immigration enforcement operations. The police department had already eased some restrictions on co-operating with federal officials facilitating Mr Trump's mass deportation campaign but reaffirmed that it would follow the district's sanctuary city laws. In a letter sent on Friday night to DC citizens, Ms Bowser wrote: 'It has been an unsettling and unprecedented week in our city. Over the course of a week, the surge in federal law enforcement across DC has created waves of anxiety.' Attorney general Pam Bondi (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) She added that 'our limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now', but added that if Washingtonians stick together, 'we will show the entire nation what it looks like to fight for American democracy – even when we don't have full access to it'. The legal battle was the latest evidence of the escalating tensions in a mostly Democratic city that now has its police department largely under the control of the Republican president's administration. Mr Trump's takeover is historic, yet it had played out with a slow ramp-up in federal law enforcement officials and National Guard troops to start the week. As the weekend approached, signs across the city — from the streets to the legal system — suggested a deepening crisis over who controls the city's immigration and policing policies, the district's right to govern itself and daily life for the millions of people who live and work in the metro area. The two sides sparred in court for hours Friday before US District Judge Ana Reyes, who is overseeing the district's lawsuit. She indicated the law is not likely to grant the Trump administration power to fully take over city police, but it probably gives the president more power than the city might like. 'The way I read the statute, the president can ask, the mayor must provide, but the president can't control,' said Judge Reyes, who was nominated to the bench by Joe Biden. The judge pushed the two sides to make a compromise. A lawyer for the Trump administration, Yaakov Roth, said the move to sideline Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith came after an immigration order that still held back some aid to federal authorities. He argued that the president has broad authority to determine what kind of help police in Washington must provide. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) The police takeover is the latest move by Trump to test the limits of his legal authorities to carry out his agenda, relying on obscure statutes and a supposed state of emergency to bolster his tough-on-crime message and his plans to speed up the mass deportation of people in the United States illegally. It also marks one of the most sweeping assertions of federal authority over a local government in modern times. While Washington has grappled with spikes in violence and visible homelessness, the city's homicide rate ranks below those of several other major US cities, and the capital is not in the throes of the public safety collapse the Trump administration has portrayed. The president has more power over the nation's capital than other cities, but DC has elected its own mayor and city council since the Home Rule Act was signed in 1973. Mr Trump is the first president to exert control over the city's police force since it was passed. The law limits that control to 30 days without congressional approval, though Mr Trump has suggested he would seek to extend it. Ms Bondi's Thursday night directive to place the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Terry Cole, in charge of the police department came after Ms Smith had told officers to share information with immigration agencies regarding people not in custody, such as someone involved in a traffic stop. The Justice Department said Ms Bondi disagreed with the police chief's instructions because they allowed for continued practice of 'sanctuary policies', which generally limit co-operation by local law enforcement with federal immigration officers.
Daily Mirror
a minute ago
- Daily Mirror
MIKEY SMITH: 11 unhinged Donald Trump moments as he gets absolutely played by Putin at Ukraine summit
The stage was set, there were logos on the backdrop, serving US military officers got on their knees to roll a red carpet all the way to the war criminal's plane. But while Putin got everything he wanted - Trump not so much Donald Trump met with Vladimir Putin in Alaska last night, and the Russian dictator appears to have played him like an extremely cheap fiddle. The stage was set, there were logos on the backdrop, serving US military officers got on their knees to roll a red carpet all the way to the war criminal's plane - though not quite to the President's But at the end of it all, there was no ceasefire. Putin got everything he wanted: Legitimacy, airtime, a chance to shower Trump with flattery while smirking at him, and a chance to discuss things other than Ukraine with a western world leader as if he wasn't an international pariah. And Trump, as far as we can tell, got nothing. The thing about Donald Trump is that for all the bluster, he's much better at setting up a meeting than he is at getting something out of it. He's not so much a master dealmaker as an average hotelier. Heres everything that happened at the Alaska summit that you need to know about. Buckle up. 1. Vlad's red carpet was longer than Trump's In an ominous signal of what was to come, Putin got a lit more red carpet than Trump did. The pair were supposed to walk to the podium from their respective aircraft down an L-shaped red carpet. But either through a lack of length, or the inept parking of Air Force One, Trump had to walk for quite some time on the air base tarmac before his feet found felt. All the while Putin's limpy feet enjoyed the plush fibres. 2. The applause, the shrugs, the smirks Trump weirdly applauded the ruthless Russian dictator who has ordered the deaths of countless people, undoubtedly committed war crimes, not to mention using banned nerve agents for assassinations on British soil. Upon reaching the podium, a waiting pool reporter shouted the not unreasonable question: "Are you going to stop killing civilians?" Putin pointed to his ear and shrugged, either indicating he couldn't hear properly, or didn't understand the language. Putin speaks English. He was asked the same question again at the top of the meeting, but again made a funny facial expression and said nothing. 3. They drove off There was a big fuss in Trump's first term about him having a short meeting with Putin where only the two leaders and Putin's interpreter - and nobody else on the American side - were there. It was quite a relief when the details of the meeting were switched up to a three-on-three, with envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio sitting in on Trump's end. But then Trump ushered Putin into his car, where they were alone for several minutes on the drive to the meeting - so Putin had a chance to get in Trump's ear alone after all. 4. The meeting setup was weird Normally if you're negotiating a peace treaty, everyone sits around a big table, with documents and officials and a big bit of wood to thump if things get heated. The setup in last night's meeting was much more formal. Like the bilateral meetings that happen at a G7 summit or foreign visit. Two leaders either side of a low table with their entourages flanking on each side. Almost like it was set up for a photo op rather than an actual negotiation. 5. The "press conference" at the end was even weirder After an about 3 hours of meetings, Trump and Putin walked out onto a nearby stage for a weird and stilted press conference. Sort of. Putin spoke first, which in itself is odd for a visiting world leader. And oddly for Trump, they walked off at the end without taking amy questions. 6. Putin laid it on Trump pretty thick - and thanked him for making him look less like a murderer Putin thanked Trump for the "friendly" tone of the conversation they had on Friday and said Russia and the United States should "turn the page and go back to cooperation." He praised Trump as someone who "has a clear idea of what he wants to achieve and sincerely cares about the prosperity of his country, and at the same time shows understanding that Russia's has its own national interests." "I expect that today's agreements will become a reference point not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also mark the beginning of the restoration of businesslike, pragmatic relations between Russia and the U.S.," Putin said. Trump said there are "just a very few" issues to resolve concerning the war in Ukraine, without providing any sense of what those issues might be. "Some are not that significant," Trump said. "One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there." The president said he's "always had a fantastic relationship" with **Putin**. He referenced the U.S. government investigations into Russia's support for his 2016 presidential campaign and repeated his claims of the U.S. economy being the "hottest" in the world. 7. Putin made it clear he still thinks Ukraine is part of Russia **Putin** repeated Moscow's long-held position that it is "sincerely interested in putting an end" to the war in Ukraine, but for that to happen, "all the root causes of the crisis ... must be eliminated." What he means by that, as he explained in a rambling essay shortly after the invasion three years ago, is that Ukraine isn't a real country, and it breaking away from mother Russia is the root cause of the war. "All of Russia's legitimate concerns must be taken into account, and a fair balance in the security sphere in Europe and the world as a whole must be restored," Putin said. 8. 'Next time in Moscow' At the end of the "press conference", Trump said to Putin: "Thank you Vladimir, I will probably see you again very soon." Putin ominously replied (in English): "Next time in Moscow..." Trump made a weird "oooooh" sound, then admitted he might "get a little heat for that one." 9. Trump thinks everything went very well indeed, thankyou In an interview with (who else?) Fox News' Sean Hannity after the summit, Trump said he was "very happy to hear [Putin] say that if I was president that war would have never happened." It's been one of Trump's least plausible talking points since taking office. Hannity, to his credit, asked if Putin had given any specifics as to why that was the case. Trump replied: "It did. It doesn't matter at this point.' The President also claimed Putin had said: "I've never seen anybody do so much so country is, like, hot as a pistol," curiously echoing another of Trump's talking points. "A lot of points were agreed on," Trump said of progress towards a deal. "There's not that much. There's one or two pretty significant items. But I think they can be reached." In the end, Trump sort of shrugged and said: "Now it's really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done." We haven't seen what, if anything, was agreed with Putin yet, but we can probably take from this that if he objects to anything, it'll be another Oval Office showdown... Get Donald Trump updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the world attempts to keep up with Trump's antics, the Mirror has launched its very own US Politics WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news from across the pond. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 10. Putin told Trump he agreed with him on mail-in voting Vladimir Putin, someone you would always go to for an expert opinion on free and fair elections, says Trump was right about 2020 being rigged. Trump said to Hannity: "Vladimir Putin said something - one of the most interesting things. He said 'your election was rigged because you have mail in voting.' "He said, 'mail in voting, every election - no country has mail in voting. It's impossible to have mail in voting and have honest elections.' "And he said that to me because we talked about 2020. He said, 'you won that election by so much.'" 11. After lengthy calls with world leaders, Zelensky will meet Trump on Monday There were reportedly lengthy calls between Trump and world leaders on Air Force One on his way back to Washington DC. He spoke with Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Mr Starmer is due to speak again with European leaders this morning. Mr Zelensky said the call began as a one-on-one between him and the US president, before European Nato leaders joined them. The Ukrainian leader also suggested he would travel to Washington DC at the start of next week to continue talks. Writing on social media, the Ukrainian president said: "We support President Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia. Ukraine emphasises that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this. "On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington DC, to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation." European allies must be "involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America", he added.
BBC News
a minute ago
- BBC News
Ukrainecast What did we learn from the Trump-Putin summit?
The first face to face meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin since the war in Ukraine started is over, with Donald Trump saying 'we didn't get there' on a Ukraine deal, or a ceasefire. The meeting lasted three hours, with the US president insisting progress was made, and Putin saying he is 'sincerely interested' in ending the war, but without giving details. The two leaders both addressed the media at the end of the summit, but didn't take questions. In a special collaboration, Victoria and Vitaly were joined by Americast's Sarah Smith in Alaska and Adam Fleming from Newscast. The producers were Purvee Pattni and Cai Pigliucci. The technical producer was Antonio Fernandes. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@ with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480 You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast's Discord server here:
