Former Vice Governor of Alaska Lehman said that the state preserves the Russian heritage

The former vice governor of Alaska, who held this post from 2002 to 2006, said he was proud of his Russian roots. He said this in an interview with Izvestia on August 12.

According to Lehman, in Alaska, especially in his native village of Ninilchik, the influence of Russian culture on language and customs remains. Locals remember that the region once belonged to the Russian Empire.

"In our family history, there is information about a marriage in 1798 between a Russian named Efim Rastorguev and a local Alutiq woman named Agrafena. I am their descendant. <...> I am proud of my Russian roots, but I am also proud of my descent from the indigenous peoples of Alaska," said Lehman.

In addition, he emphasized his pride in becoming the first indigenous representative to be elected to a statewide office in the United States.

The former vice governor also expressed the opinion that the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Donald Trump would take place in a "strategically important place."

The signal is not lost: the Russian Federation and the United States are ready to continue the dialogue

​​​​​​​After Witkoff's trip to Moscow, Trump announced his intention to meet with Putin in person next week.

On the same day, in an interview with Izvestia, Lehman suggested that Adak Island, located in the Aleutian Archipelago, could become one of the potential meeting places for the Russian and American leaders. According to him, the city of Fairbanks, which is located in the central part of Alaska, may become a "backup option" for the planned negotiations.

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