Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson outside Anchorage has formed a critical part of America's military readiness, dating back to the Cold War.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the summit would amount to a 'listening session' for President Trump on the Russian leader's interest in peace.

Sentiment toward Russia in Alaska has cooled since Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022. The Anchorage Assembly voted unanimously to suspend its three-decade-long sister city relationship with Magadan, Russia, and the Juneau Assembly sent its sister city of Vladivostok a letter expressing concern.