Historic handshake, warm smiles and a ride together in ‘The Beast': What happened when Trump met Putin
Wearing a dark suit, white shirt and red tie, US President Donald Trump descended the stairs from Air Force One at 11:08am local time, and he walked along a red carpet.
He stopped and, as Russian President Vladimir Putin approached, applauded him before offering a handshake and a tap on the arm. Putin appeared to make a joke, prompting smiles from both leaders.
They walked together toward a platform marked 'Alaska 2025,'where again the two leaders exchanged a handshake, posed for photographs; but as reporters shouted questions at Putin about a ceasefire and civilian casualties, the Russian president shrugged as if indicating he couldn't hear them. American military aircraft—including fighter jets and what appeared to be a B-2 stealth bomber—thundered overhead.
WATCH : Stealth bombers fly over as Trump greets Putin in Alaska#TrumpPutinSummit pic.twitter.com/ZKavFXu8P0
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) August 15, 2025
Putin then joined Trump in the presidential limousine, 'The Beast'. The two could be seen laughing inside.
When not travelling aboard Air Force One or by helicopter on Marine One, US presidents are chauffeured in a heavily armoured presidential limousine known as 'The Beast.'
President @realDonaldTrump and President Putin riding in The Beast together 🇺🇸🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/wBpVN30Mmm
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) August 15, 2025
'The Beast,' weighing 20,000 pounds and equipped with advanced security and communications systems, debuted during Trump's first term in 2018 and reportedly cost $1.5 million to build. While it resembles an elongated Cadillac XT6, its chassis comes from a Chevrolet Kodiak truck.
Security features remain classified, but a report by NBC, suggests the vehicle has night-vision, tear gas launchers, electrified door handles, 3-inch-thick windows, and 8-inch armor plating—making it one of the most secure vehicles in the world.
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