According to CNN, the base located in the northern suburbs of Anchorage was the only site that met the requirements for the historic summit, although the White House hoped to avoid welcoming the Russian delegation on the grounds of a U.S. military facility. The report noted that site options in Alaska, which was formerly part of the Russian Empire, were limited due to the peak tourist season.
The Kremlin and the White House announced last week that the summit would be held in Alaska on August 15. White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt confirmed on Tuesday that the meeting will take place in the U.S. Leavitt said during a press briefing, “Next Friday morning, President Trump will travel across the country to Anchorage, Alaska, for a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.”
Despite the multiple issues expected to be discussed between the presidents, primarily the Ukrainian file, it is anticipated that there may be potential understandings, especially given the intersection of interests between the two countries in the region and the impact of the Ukrainian crisis on the Middle East situation, as well as the Palestinian issue, which is a central point of tensions in the region. Experts predict that many regional issues could move towards resolution if an understanding is reached between Putin and Trump in the near term, although this may not be decided from the first meeting.
