2:31President Donald Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the first day of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, June 28, 2019. Kremlin Press Office/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Vladimir Putin is well-acquainted with superpower summits.
Throughout the years, in his roles as president or prime minister, he has engaged in crucial discussions with five American presidents.
His meeting with Donald Trump on Friday in Alaska will mark the beginning of Trump's second term and could be the most pivotal since their contentious 2018 encounter in Helsinki, Finland.
This time, the stakes of war and peace are critically important as Trump is focused on concluding the conflict in Ukraine. Trump's August 8 deadline for Putin to consent to a ceasefire with Ukraine or face harsh sanctions has elapsed without any resolution.
The anticipated private meeting in Alaska represents Putin's first visit to the U.S. since 2015 and his eighth overall as president — a position he has held since late 1999, except for the period from 2008 to 2012 when he served as prime minister.
While he has met with every U.S. president since Bill Clinton, such meetings have become less frequent in recent years as he has been viewed as somewhat of an international pariah, particularly after the Kremlin's unlawful annexation of Crimea in 2014, military operations in Syria in 2015, and Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
No U.S. president has visited Russia since 2013, when Barack Obama participated in the G20 economic summit in St. Petersburg.
Here’s a look at notable interactions between the Russian leader and his American counterparts.
Bill Clinton
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with President Bill Clinton during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, June 3, 2000.POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The two leaders had previously convened while Putin was prime minister, but their first summit occurred as Clinton's presidency was nearing its conclusion and the new Russian president was just ascending to power.
They met in Moscow in June 2000, nearly ten years after the Cold War’s conclusion, primarily discussing arms control.
On his evaluation of Putin, Clinton stated at a press briefing, "I believe he is entirely capable of constructing a prosperous, robust Russia while maintaining freedom, pluralism, and the rule of law. It's a significant challenge, but I think he can accomplish it."
Regarding Clinton, Putin described him as a "very seasoned politician."
"In my perspective, we have established not only solid business connections but also personal relations. For me, President Clinton is a very agreeable and pleasant negotiation partner," Putin remarked.
George W. Bush
President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, June 16, 2001, in Ljubljana, Slovenia.Alain Buu/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Bush and Putin conducted their inaugural summit in Slovenia in June 2001. After two hours of discussions, Bush described it as an "important step in establishing a constructive and respectful rapport with Russia."
When queried about his trust in Russia, Bush famously remarked that he "looked the man
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
