Changing strategy, White House says Rubio and Witkoff will join Trump for meeting with Putin

By Jacob Magid

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15 August 2025, 9:53 pm

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Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to meet with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Air Force One is wheels down in Alaska for US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The White House updates reporters that the meeting will no longer be a one-on-one, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff slated to join Trump, who will meet with Putin and two of his top advisers.

Critics of Trump had expressed concern over his initial plan to meet with Putin alone.