Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov will participate in expanded negotiations following the high-stakes summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

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The announcement comes as the two leaders continue face-to-face talks at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, aimed at brokering a ceasefire in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.

The summit, which began earlier this afternoon, marks the first in-person meeting between Trump and Putin since 2019 and the first visit by a Russian head of state to the United States since 2015. It is also the first time such a summit has been held on U.S. military property.

Russian state media report that the summit could yield “certain advances in normalization” between the two powers. Senator Vladimir Dzhabárov told RIA Novosti that the talks may open the door to renewed diplomatic and economic cooperation.

The initial bilateral meeting began around 15:30 local time, with both leaders seated beneath a backdrop reading “Pursuing Peace.”

Trump was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, while Putin was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, and Defense Minister Belousov.

The expanded negotiations are expected to include discussions on military de-escalation, sanctions relief, and regional security arrangements, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Arctic.

Belousov’s presence signals Moscow’s intent to address defense-related concerns directly, including NATO troop deployments and U.S. military aid to Ukraine.

Trump has stated that he is “not going to be happy” if a ceasefire is not reached today, though expectations remain cautious.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not invited to the summit, prompting concern among European allies about potential territorial concessions.

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