In a cozy home in West Anchorage, Lena Roik sits with her corgi named Mischa, a name that translates to ‘little bear’ in Russian. Mischa, a year and a half old, growls curiously at the camera as Roik shares her perspective on her life in Alaska.
Roik, originally from Russia, relocated to the United States seven years ago with her two daughters seeking a safer environment. ‘I was born and raised there,’ she noted, reflecting on her medical education in Russia and the contrasting life she has carved out in Alaska.
The impending meeting between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin in Alaska has caught Roik’s attention. She has been following the developments closely as the leaders prepare to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. A significant concern for Roik is the absence of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from the talks, which she fears could complicate the peace process.
The historical connection between Alaska and Russia was fostered during the 18th century when the Russian Empire first colonized the region. This connection deepened in March 1867 when the U.S. purchased Alaska for $7.2 million—or two cents per acre—an act later dubbed ‘Seward’s Folly’ after Secretary of State William Seward.
Alaska, stretching over half a million square miles, stands as the largest U.S. state today, and remnants of its Russian history can be spotted in towns and villages across the state. From the distinctive onion domes of Russian Orthodox churches to the existence of a Russian immersion school in Anchorage, traces of this heritage run deep.
David Ramseur, an Alaskan historian and writer, highlights the influx of Russians to Alaska during the 1980s and 1990s, a period characterized by improved relations between the United States and Russia. ‘During that time, many Russians moved here for education, business, and family,’ Ramseur explained, indicating that a significant number of them still reside in Alaska.
The meeting between Trump and Putin is steeped in historical context, particularly since it will take place on the largest military base in Alaska—a site established during the Cold War as a defense against the Soviet Union.
Notably, Alaska and Russia are separated by only three miles at their narrowest point in the Bering Strait, where Big Diomede Island belongs to Russia, while Little Diomede Island is part of Alaska. Additionally, active Russian Orthodox communities exist in around 80 Alaskan towns, with many continuing to celebrate Christmas on January 7, according to the old-style Russian Orthodox calendar.
Ramseur points out that there has long been a shared affinity between Alaskans and Russians. ‘We are both northern people, with similar climates and similar distances from our respective capitals,’ he stated, emphasizing the kinship forged through geographic and cultural commonalities.
While the upcoming meeting carries historical significance, the White House has tempered expectations regarding any substantial resolution to end the current conflict in Ukraine. ‘He simply wants to listen,’ White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt remarked, portraying the engagement as a valuable opportunity for understanding rather than a framework for immediate solutions.
As Alaskans await the outcome of this historic discussion, communities with Russian heritage may hold diverse opinions about the meeting. For individuals like Roik, the overall tension surrounding the absence of Ukraine at the negotiating table raises eyebrows, blending personal sentiment with broader geopolitical anxieties.
The path leading to potential resolutions remains fraught with complications, but the enduring ties between Alaska and Russia might provide a unique backdrop to these pivotal international discussions.
image source from：alaskasnewssource
