Washington/Anchorage: US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in Anchorage, Alaska, in the coming days as part of ongoing discussions aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The meeting will take place at a military facility, chosen for its strategic and geographical significance. Locals note that from Alaska, Russia is visible, making it a tactically important location. While many world leaders have visited Alaska, this will be the first visit by a Russian president.
Historical Context: Why Alaska Was Sold to the US
Alaska, formerly part of Russia, was sold to the United States in 1867 under the Alaska Purchase agreement between Russian Tsar Alexander II and US Secretary of State William H. Seward for \$7.2 million. The sale was driven by Russia’s weakened economic position after the Crimean War (1853–56), which made it difficult to maintain distant territories. Alaska’s proximity to British Columbia also posed a potential military threat that Russia could not defend.
The territory’s vast size—586,412 square miles, larger than Texas, California, and Montana combined—and limited economic output contributed to the decision. Fur trading, previously a major revenue source, had declined due to overhunting. Selling Alaska provided Russia with immediate funds and allowed the US to expand its territorial reach and strategic influence in the Pacific region.