B-2 Stealth Bomber Displays Military Power During Trump-Putin Meeting in Alaska

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, with a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber displaying its military power overhead. Despite the display, the meeting did not yield any progress toward halting Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Northrop Grumman shares inched up 0.041% in Friday's regular session and added another 0.37% in after-hours trading.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on Friday, August 15, 2025, with a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber showcasing its military power overhead. The high-stakes summit, billed as a vital step towards peace in the Russia-Ukraine war, did not yield any concrete progress towards halting Russia's invasion. The meeting came as the U.S. seeks a ceasefire in the conflict.

The B-2 Spirit, a symbol of U.S. power, is capable of flying nonstop around the world and carrying both conventional and nuclear munitions. Its presence at the summit underscored the military capabilities of both nations. However, despite the display, the meeting did not lead to any tangible agreements.

The summit, which lasted around two-and-a-half hours, was marked by a lack of specificity in discussions. Putin emphasized the need to eliminate the "root causes" of the conflict, a phrase that has become shorthand for a series of maximalist demands, including recognition of Russian sovereignty over Ukrainian territories and demilitarization. Trump, while expressing a desire to end the bloodshed, did not mention these demands or any concrete steps towards a resolution.

The absence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from the meeting was notable. Trump expressed hope that a second meeting, potentially including Zelenskyy, could be arranged. However, no such agreement was made during the Alaska summit.

The stock market's reaction to the meeting was mixed. Northrop Grumman shares, which produce the B-2 Spirit, inched up 0.041% in Friday's regular session and added another 0.37% in after-hours trading. This modest increase can be attributed to the positive attention the B-2 Spirit received during the summit.

The summit, while failing to achieve immediate progress on the Ukraine conflict, did serve to reaffirm the relationship between the U.S. and Russia. Pictures of the two leaders repeatedly shaking hands and grinning traveled widely on social media. Putin, who has been largely shunned by Western nations since the invasion of Ukraine, was welcomed on U.S. soil like a partner and friend.

The meeting left the door open for further dialogue, with both leaders expressing a willingness to meet again. Putin even joked about a potential second meeting in Moscow, suggesting that the summit may have been more about symbolism than substance.

References:

[1] https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/b-2-bombers-trump-putin-meeting/story?id=124684641
[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gj9er0x0zo
[3] https://www.livemint.com/news/world/putintrump-meet-progress-but-no-ukraine-deal-alaska-summit-in-10-key-points-11755305374308.html