Russian Officials Welcome Alaska as Venue
The upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place in Alaska — a choice that has been lauded by Russian officials and commentators as symbolic of historic ties between the two nations. The location is seen in Moscow as a reminder of geographic proximity and a potential opportunity to reset relations.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov noted that the two countries are “close neighbors” separated only by the Bering Strait. Other senior figures, including former Russian ambassador to the U.S. and Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov, called the choice “logical” and “very wise,” emphasizing its distance from both Ukraine and Europe.
Symbolism and Historic Links
Alaska, purchased by the United States from the Russian Empire in 1867 for $7.2 million, retains visible traces of its Russian heritage, from Orthodox churches to place names like Nikolaevsk and Voznesensk. Russian media figures, including RT contributor Alexander Bobrov, framed the summit as “more than just a meeting,” portraying it as a return to direct bilateral dialogue without intermediaries.
Ukraine and Europe Left Out
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed he has not been invited to the talks, fueling fears in Kyiv that decisions affecting Ukraine’s future could be made without its input. Zelenskyy said on Saturday that any such agreements would be “decisions against peace” and “will not achieve anything.”
Trump responded Monday that Zelenskyy “wasn’t a part of it,” noting the Ukrainian leader has attended “a lot of meetings” during the war with little result. European Union leaders issued a joint statement supporting efforts to end the conflict but insisted that “a path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.”
Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine
Despite the planned summit, fighting continues. Russia’s military has made incremental advances into Ukrainian territory while sustaining heavy losses. Overnight into Tuesday, Ukrainian officials reported Russian drone strikes that killed two civilians and injured 13 across several regions.
Meanwhile, European leaders plan to hold a videoconference Wednesday to coordinate their positions ahead of a separate call with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
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