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Trump-Putin Alaska summit:  In a scene brimming with pomp, symbolism, and geopolitical intrigue, US President Donald Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday. The two leaders shared an unusually warm reception complete with red carpets, fighter jet flyovers, and a rare ride together inside the heavily fortified presidential limousine known as “The Beast.” The highly choreographed encounter came as both nations continue to remain at odds over Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, now well into its fourth year. Yet, the optics of the day suggested an effort by Trump to underline diplomacy and personal rapport with the Kremlin leader, offering gestures typically reserved for America’s closest allies.

The arrival ceremony unfolded with both leaders landing under tight security within minutes of each other. As they stepped off their planes, Trump and Putin walked shoulder-to-shoulder on a crimson red carpet rolled out across the tarmac. Fighter jets, including Cold War–era F-22 Raptors and a B-2 stealth bomber, roared overhead in a show of US military might. Trump, dressed in a ruby red tie, applauded as Putin approached, before the two clasped hands in a prolonged handshake. They exchanged smiles and brief remarks as photographers captured the moment against a backdrop emblazoned with the words “Alaska 2025.”

Putin’s Rare Ride In ‘The Beast’

In a gesture rarely extended to foreign leaders, Trump invited Putin to join him inside the iconic US presidential limo, dubbed “The Beast.” The two could be seen chatting through its tinted bulletproof windows as the motorcade rolled away from the base toward the summit venue. “The Beast” is regarded as the world’s safest vehicle, weighing up to 10 tonnes and featuring eight-inch armor plating, hermetically sealed cabins, a self-contained oxygen supply, and secure communications systems. It also doubles as a mobile command center, enabling the President to authorize nuclear launch codes if required. Putin now joins a short list of leaders who have shared the ride with a US President, including French President Emmanuel Macron, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

The Beast: More Than Just A Car

Beyond its diplomatic symbolism, “The Beast” itself drew considerable attention. Built by Cadillac, the limousine features bulletproof windows, multi-layered armor, and kevlar-reinforced tyres capable of running even when punctured. Each door weighs as much as a Boeing 757 cabin door, while electrified handles, which can repel attackers.

Key features of ‘The Beast’- the US President’s limousine:

• Weight & Size: Weighs anywhere from 6,800 to 9,100 kg (8–10 tonnes) and measures approximately 18 feet long.
• Armor Protection: Constructed with 8-inch thick steel, aluminum, titanium, and ceramic plating; reinforced to protect against direct hits and bomb blasts.
• Bulletproof Windows: Multi-layered 5-inch thick bulletproof glass, completely sealed against ballistic attack.
• Sealed Cabin: Cabin can be hermetically sealed by an independent oxygen supply system, serving as a panic room during chemical or biological attack.
• Electrified Door Handles: Door handles on the outside can be electrified in order to shock intruders trying to open them.
• Run-Flat Tyres: Tyres reinforced with Kevlar with steel rims so that the car can continue moving even when punctured or shredded.

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• Secure Communications: Satellite phone, secure radio communications, and systems with authorization for nuclear launch codes.
• Medical Supplies: Includes a refrigerator containing the blood of the President's blood group for emergency transfusions.
• Defensive Systems: Tear gas launchers, night vision cameras, smoke screen mechanisms, and oil slick dispensers to evade capture.
• Weaponry: Comprises pump-action shotguns and grenade launchers as a security arsenal.
• Driver's Compartment: Glass partition with the President alone able to control; driver is trained in evasive driving and escape techniques.
• Multiple Clones: A number of identical 'Beasts' comprise the motorcade, each carrying the same number plates, to mislead any attackers.
• Diplomatic Symbol: Both US and host country flags fly on it during foreign trips, emphasizing its status as a tool of statecraft.

ALSO READ: Trump-Putin Alaska Summit: What The Two Leaders Agreed On And What They Didn’t? 5 Key Takeaways

Alaska summit marked Putin’s first visit to the United States in a decade and the first time a Russian leader has landed on American soil since the war in Ukraine began. Now, whether the Alaska summit leads to substantive breakthroughs or remains a carefully staged display of optics will be closely watched in Washington, Moscow, and beyond.