The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump will hold a one-on-one summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. It will be the leaders’ first face-to-face meeting since Trump began his second term. A senior U.S. official said the session is intended to test prospects for ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as a “feel-out meeting,” insisting the venue choice is “not a concession” to Moscow. CNN first reported the selection of the joint Air Force–Army installation, which organisers say was the only site that met security requirements amid Alaska’s peak tourist season. The base, home to Alaskan Command and the 11th Airborne Division, sits on territory the United States bought from Russia in 1867, a symbolism noted by Russian media. Ahead of the summit, Trump will confer virtually on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vice President J.D. Vance and European leaders. Kyiv maintains it will not cede annexed land, while Trump has suggested territorial “swaps” could feature in any settlement.