Reporter’s Notebook: Mystery in Anchorage as Trump-Putin Summit Looms

On August 13th, the northwestern city of Anchorage, Alaska, was overtaken by international journalists braving chilly, rainy weather in anticipation of the upcoming Trump-Putin summit. Local residents noted the influx of media, many remarking on the diverse origins of visiting reporters. Anchorage, known for its proximity to the Arctic Circle and long summer days, was chosen as the summit venue. The actual location within Anchorage, however, remained undisclosed just two days before the meeting, despite the event’s immense global importance, potentially impacting the resolution of the Ukraine war[para. 1][para. 2][para. 3].

President Donald Trump announced on August 8th that he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15th in Alaska—a strikingly symbolic location, being both U.S. territory and geographically close to Russia. The White House confirmed the meeting and indicated that expectations should be tempered, suggesting the summit would function more as an introductory "listening exercise."[para. 4][para. 5][para. 6]. Intense diplomatic efforts preceded the meeting: Ukrainian President Zelensky, German Chancellor Merz, and French President Macron urged Trump to press for a truce in Ukraine. Trump agreed on several European positions, warning Russia of severe consequences if it refused a ceasefire[para. 7][para. 8]. This was the first direct U.S.-Russia presidential meeting since the Ukraine war began in February 2022, following a four-year hiatus and after several interactions between Trump and Putin during Trump’s prior term. Trump claimed he would quickly assess the talks' success, referencing his readiness, as seen in earlier high-profile summits such as the failed 2019 meeting with North Korea. Allies in Congress asserted Trump would walk away from a bad deal[para. 9][para. 10][para. 11][para. 12][para. 13].

Alaska’s selection as the summit venue was due in part to its practicality regarding security and legal concerns. Russia and the U.S. are technically neighbors, separated by the Bering Strait. Multiple rumored locations circulated, including the Alyeska Resort and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the latter reportedly confirmed by CNN. Security preparations were subdued; neither venue displayed the anticipated signs of heavy protection, further fueling speculation. The choice avoided possible complications from the International Criminal Court’s warrant for Putin’s arrest, as neither the U.S. nor Russia recognizes the ICC’s authority, unlike many European states, where such a summit would have been impossible due to legal risks for Putin[para. 14-29].

Anchorage has long held a strategic location in international diplomacy, historically serving as a refueling point for Asia-North America flights and for significant diplomatic encounters, such as President Nixon’s stops following his landmark trip to China and a meeting with Japan’s Emperor Hirohito. In recent years, Anchorage hosted high-level U.S.-China talks and, early in Trump’s administration, served as the setting for a meeting between Xi Jinping and Alaska’s governor[para. 30-41].

Alaska’s complex history is also relevant: the U.S. purchased it from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, now boasts vast natural resources, and remains a strategic military and economic outpost. While traditionally seen as a Republican "red state," interviews with local voters revealed ambivalence toward Trump, some referencing controversies involving the Epstein case. Though Trump’s deregulation policies benefited the fossil-fuel economy, the state’s oil dividends have fluctuated, impacting public sentiment[para. 42-51].

Reporter: Zeng Jia, Caixin Media[para. 52][para. 53].