'Unusual': NYT reporter flags  overlooked detail in Trump-Putin's opening photo-op
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

A New York Times reporter flagged what she called one "unusual" element of a high-stakes meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin — it was awfully quiet.

Trump and Putin participated in a bizarre standoff, with each trying to outwait the other on deplaning in Alaska. As the two walked down the tarmac and shook hands, Times reporter Katie Rogers, who is traveling with Trump, flagged a notable facet of their meeting.

"We just witnessed an unusually silent photo opportunity," she wrote. "Trump and Putin stayed quiet as photographers snapped photos; they ignored shouted questions from journalists in a room on the airbase."

The two rode together in "the beast" limousine and have since begun their small meeting, which was to be followed by a larger group meeting, she noted. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff were alongside Trump. On the other side, Putin brought along Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and a foreign policy advisor, Yuri Ushakov.