Alaska residents spoke about the importance of the state for the upcoming meeting between Putin and Trump

Alaska's connection to Russia and the United States makes the state a good place for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and American leader Donald Trump. This was announced to the Izvestia correspondent on August 10 by residents of the largest city in the state of Anchorage.

"We are so close. You know, back in the early 1800s, we had a land bridge connecting Alaska and Russia, so I can imagine that the former connection to their continent makes it a good place <...> for both sides," the locals say.

In addition, Alaska is home to many Russian-speaking people. According to residents, there is a Russian church in Anchorage.

"I have met many Russian-speaking people living in Alaska. There are many rich Russian roots in Alaska, because we are so close to each other. There is a Russian church in Anchorage, and I have met many friends and people around the city who are from Russia," the Anchorage resident notes.

Local residents also expressed disappointment with the anti-Russian sanctions. They also added that they want to work with Russia because it is located near Alaska.

"This is a long history of cooperation between Russia and America in Alaska. I think that <...> we have always cooperated with Russia on all issues. You know, we are very disappointed with the sanctions. We want to work with Russia. They are our neighbors," the Anchorage resident summed up.

Two-way traffic: what does the future meeting between Putin and Trump change?

Where will the leaders of the two powers meet and what can they agree on?

On August 8, Trump announced a meeting with Putin in Alaska on August 15. The US president noted that details about the upcoming negotiations will be published later. Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov called the choice of a venue for negotiations logical. He said that the economic interests of the states intersect in the region. There are prospects for joint projects in Alaska.

The leader of the United States also expressed confidence in the possibility of signing a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine in the coming months. Commenting on this issue, Trump stated the need for territorial concessions from both sides.

Troy Baffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Sustainability at the University of Alaska, suggested in an interview with Izvestia that the city of Anchorage could become the venue for a meeting between the presidents of the Russian Federation and the United States.

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