WOBBLY

Trump, 79, Veers From Left to Right in Walk Across Red Carpet

The president welcomed Vladimir Putin in Alaska for historic talks with smiles and applause.

President Donald Trump literally rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

Trump, 79, veered from left to right as he walked on the carpet, unable to stay in its center, before reaching a set meeting point. Trump then stood and clapped as his Russian counterpart, 72, approached him at Joint Base Elmendorf in Anchorage.

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Once together, the two men shook hands before Trump waddled at Putin’s side toward a platform. Above, a U.S. Air Force B-2 stealth bomber and four F-35 fighter jets completed a flyover that caused Putin to pause and briefly look up.

The world leaders paused atop the platform, posed for photos behind a sign reading “Alaska 2025,” and shuffled down three steps and into an all-black Escalade. Trump invited Putin to descend the stairs first, placing his hand on the Russian’s back.

Both men avoided an embarrassing slip or stumble, and appeared comfortable together, chatting as they sauntered forward. Once inside a U.S. government SUV, Putin smiled and waved for the cameras of the press corps outside.

The eyes of the world were on Friday’s summit, which was seen as a step toward ending Russia’s bloody war in Ukraine.

Trump had been expected to push Putin to reach a ceasefire agreement, but both leaders left Alaska without a deal, and without providing any detail on what had been achieved.

Some U.S. officials and pundits have criticized Trump for welcoming Putin and other Russian officials onto an active U.S. military base. The duo last met in 2018, during a summit in Helsinki, Finland, that was widely labeled a disaster for Trump.

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Josh FialloBreaking News Reporter

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