President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia is expected to face a somewhat frosty welcome in Alaska next week, as the state that has historically worked to strengthen and even celebrate its connections to Russia has grown disillusioned with its neighbor across the Bering Sea.
On Friday, President Trump announced that he would meet with Mr. Putin on August 15th in Alaska, aiming to negotiate a resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Mr. Trump had previously indicated that a peace agreement between the two nations might involve "some swapping of territories," hinting that the United States may collaborate with Russia in pressuring Ukraine to permanently relinquish some of its land.
David Ramseur, who served as an advisor to former Alaska governors Tony Knowles and Steve Cowper, mentioned that the context for the summit is complicated, given that the historical "affinity" between Alaskans and Russians has diminished since Russia invaded Ukraine.
“Alaska advocates have been promoting the state as an international hub since it became a state,” stated Mr. Ramseur, who authored "Melting the Ice Curtain: The Extraordinary Story of Citizen Diplomacy on the Russia-Alaska Frontier." “In that regard, it’s beneficial for Alaska. It places us on the map for a brief moment.”
Alaska has a rich connection to Russian history and culture, beginning when the Russian Empire colonized the territory in the 18th century. Since the United States acquired the land in 1867, Russian-speaking populations have remained in the state, and Russian Orthodox Churches, characterized by their unique onion-shaped domes, are located from the distant Aleutian Islands to Anchorage, which is Alaska’s largest city.
“Russian culture and its history are integrated into the fabric of Alaska,” stated Brandon Boylan, a professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks who has studied Alaska’s involvement in U.S.-Russia relations. “There are many remnants of the Russian American heritage.”
Following the Cold War, during which Alaska was crucial for missile defense against the Soviet Union, the state became a focal point for efforts to strengthen connections between the United States and the newly formed Russian Federation, according to Dr. Boylan. However, the outbreak of war in Ukraine interrupted that progression, he noted.
Although comments from Russian political leaders about reclaiming their former territory in America have mostly “not gained traction,” the war in Ukraine has still raised concerns among Alaskans and created negative sentiments towards their western neighbor, Dr. Boylan mentioned.
“If tensions escalate between the U.S. and Russia, I believe Alaska will feel the impact most intensely once again,” he added.
As Mr. Putin rose to power in the early 2000s, collaborations in business and academia began to decline, according to Mr. Ramseur, but tensions escalated significantly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Anchorage Assembly decided to end its long-standing “sister city” partnership with Magadan in the following year, stating it could not ignore the actions taken by the Russian government. In contrast, Juneau, which serves as the state’s capital, opted to maintain its relationship with Vladivostok.
Dr. Boylan pointed out that Alaska's geographic location at the crossroads of Asia and North America has historically been a vital area for diplomatic efforts. Most recently, in 2021, the Biden administration held high-level discussions with China at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage.
The White House has yet to specify the exact location of the upcoming meeting. However, Larry Disbrow, a realtor who manages short-term rental properties in Anchorage and serves as an honorary consul of Germany, mentioned that he has leased a six-bedroom residence to the Secret Service for this event.
“Earlier today, the U.S. Secret Service reached out to me to inquire about the availability of any of my properties, and I had one open for the timeframe they required,” Mr. Disbrow, known as Beau, stated.
He remarked, “I understand why Alaska could be appealing for something like this, considering its historical context.” “However, it definitely took me by surprise.”
In an interview on Saturday, Anchorage's mayor, Suzanne LaFrance, stated that she hadn't been informed if her city would be the location for the meeting between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin.
“It's common for us here in Alaska to host leaders,” Ms. LaFrance stated. “Acting as a venue for diplomacy is rooted in our history, as we are the junction of the world.”
Russian culture is evident in Anchorage, where a local grocery store chain offers Russian foods, and a downtown eatery, favored by late-night patrons, focuses on pelmeni, or Russian dumplings.
Mr. Trump has traveled to Alaska no fewer than five times since he assumed office in 2017, primarily to make visits at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. The meeting with Mr. Putin will mark Mr. Trump’s initial official visit to the state since the beginning of his second term.
The governor and congressional delegation of the state, composed entirely of Republicans, openly expressed their approval of their state being chosen for the meeting between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin.
“For hundreds of years, Alaska has served as a link between countries, and today, we continue to be an entry point for diplomacy, trade, and safety in one of the most vital areas on the planet,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy shared on X on Friday.
Senator Lisa Murkowski stated that although she still felt “greatly cautious of Putin and his government,” she was optimistic that the discussions would contribute to concluding the war in Ukraine on fair terms.
Eric Croft, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party, stated that the meeting emphasized Mr. Trump’s inability to deliver on his campaign promise to end the war on his administration's first day.
“We wish for the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine to come to an end and for civilian casualties to cease,” Mr. Croft stated during an interview on Saturday. “Most Alaskans seem more concerned about inflation, Medicaid cuts, and reductions to public radio, but we’ll consider it if they require it.”
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