FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/KTVF) – During a recent summit in Alaska, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted a memorial in Russia that resembles one in downtown Fairbanks, which commemorates the collaborative efforts of the U.S. and Russia in World War II.
Putin mentioned this connection during a joint news conference with President Donald Trump, noting his visit to Magadan, Russia, where a memorial honors the U.S. and Russian pilots who worked together.
He remarked, ‘I think that’s very worthy and noble. We’ll always remember other historical examples when our countries defeated common enemies together in the spirit of battle, camaraderie, and friendship.’
In Fairbanks, the Lend-Lease memorial stands as a reminder of the collaboration between American and Soviet soldiers, specifically highlighting their exchanges of aircraft 84 years ago.
The summoning of this historical cooperation occurs amid a more contentious backdrop—negotiations aimed at addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine. As President Trump and President Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the reaction from Fairbanks residents varied widely.
Prior to the summit, over 300 locals gathered for a protest on the Cushman Street bridge, overlooking the Chena River, wielding signs that displayed support for Ukraine and expressed opposition to the Trump-Putin meeting.
Protestor Igor Pasternak expressed his dismay, stating, ‘If you and me get together to negotiate about someone’s property… It’s absolutely ridiculous.’
However, amidst the protest, a bipartisan group of elected leaders from the Interior region voiced their support for the summit.
Sen. Scott Kawasaki, a Democrat from Fairbanks, emphasized the importance of the discussions, asserting that rising incursions by Russian and Chinese vessels near Alaskan waters necessitated dialogue.
Rep. Mike Prax, a Republican from North Pole, concurred, stressing that decades of such incursions warranted ongoing communication to prevent missteps.
On the other hand, some community members reflected on the political climate with a degree of apathy. One individual noted that many people are overly absorbed by political developments and may not see tangible benefits from political discussions.
Scott McCrea, president and CEO of Explore Fairbanks, acknowledged the potential positive publicity for Alaska tied to the international attention around the summit.
He stated, ‘It puts us, you know, in the minds of people who say, “Oh, yeah, that’s the place I’ve always wanted to visit… I think we look at it from that perspective, the publicity our state’s going to get, remove the politics, I think it’s a good thing for Alaska, a good thing for tourism in Alaska.’
As historical symbols of cooperation are re-examined, the varied reactions from Fairbanks residents encapsulate the complexity of the contemporary geopolitical landscape, highlighting hopes for dialogue amid deep-seated tensions.
image source from：alaskasnewssource
