President Donald Trump not only rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin but also gave the Russians an up-close look at U.S. military might.
The president welcomed Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, for a high-stakes meeting as he tries to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
As the two leaders greeted each other on the tarmac and shook hands, four F-22 Raptor fighter jets were on full display along the red carpet. A dramatic military flyover overhead featured a B-2 bomber and four F-35s.
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Additional fighter jets could be seen lined up as the motorcade moved the two leaders and their teams to the summit location.
The show of military might served as a reminder that the U.S. Air Force in Alaska has long been viewed as the first line of defense against Russian aggression.
The F-22 stealth fighter jet is a highly classified twin-engine aircraft known for its stealth, speed, and agility. It is designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
Many of the stealth fighter’s capabilities—including its top speed, sensory technology, and weaponry—have been closely guarded. The U.S. has strictly prohibited the sale of F-22s to foreign nations as it works to keep much of its capabilities under wraps.
The B-2 is a stealth bomber with technology to penetrate sophisticated anti-aircraft defenses. Many of its capabilities are classified, including its stealth technology and engine design.
The two-person crew B-2 bombers were recently used to conduct the U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June. While it is not clear that the bomber was used to convey a message, Iran is a close ally of Russia.
The F-35 is a single-seat, single-engine supersonic stealth strike fighter. Much of its technology has also been heavily guarded to maintain the U.S.’s military advantage.
The White House did not immediately respond to request for comment. The Pentagon referred questions to the White House.
As the flyover took place, Trump and Putin briefly paused their walk down the red carpet to look up and observe.
Not only did Russian officials get an up close look at U.S. military might, but the Russian media was also on the U.S. base and captured video of U.S. weaponry.
Russia Today, the Russian state-controlled news network, posted video showing U.S. military equipment on the base including artillery pieces that have been used to target Russian forces and infrastructure and trucks.
“Biden gave American M777 howitzers to Ukraine,” RT wrote. “Now two sit outside Elmendorf Air Force Base as Trump meets Putin inside.”
The first greeting between the two world leaders was warm, with both men smiling and shaking hands. Trump even applauded Putin as he walked up to him after they deplaned.
It was a surreal display of affection and pageantry for the Russian leader on U.S. soil as Putin has been seen as a pariah on the world stage since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
The pair could be seen laughing through the window of the presidential state car, known as “The Beast,” as Trump and Putin drove together to their historic summit.
