It was a welcome tailored for a close friend, not a war criminal, and it looked to the Ukrainians like their nightmare.

Trump has visited Alaska several times as president, pushed for expanded oil, gas and mining permits there, and even got funding for new polar icebreakers, a popular stance in a state he won with 54% of the vote in 2024.

After stepping off Air Force One, Trump applauded as Putin approached along a red carpet laid out for each leader.