In a pivotal moment for international relations, United States President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday to explore avenues for ending the ongoing war in Ukraine.
This high-profile summit follows a virtual meeting held on Wednesday with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During that briefing, Trump cautioned that there would be “severe consequences” should Putin refuse to agree to a ceasefire after three long years of conflict.
The venue for this significant meeting is Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the largest military base in Alaska, located on the northern outskirts of the state’s most populous city. Spanning 64,000 acres, the base plays a crucial role in U.S. military operations and Arctic readiness.
Reflecting on his prior visit to the base in 2019, President Trump remarked that the troops stationed there “serve in our country’s last frontier as America’s first line of defense.”
However, Alaska’s relationship with Russia dates back over a century. The U.S. government acquired Alaska from Russia in 1867, separated from the Russian coast by a mere 90 kilometers (55 miles) at its narrowest point across the Bering Strait.
Russian presidential assistant Yuri Ushakov emphasized the geographical and historical connection between the two countries in an August 9 briefing. He suggested that holding such an important summit in Alaska was fitting given the nations’ shared history and proximity.
Russia’s interest in Alaska can be traced back to the early 18th century, when Tsar Peter the Great commission Danish explorer Vitus Bering to survey the Alaskan coast. At that time, the region was sparsely populated but rich in natural resources, particularly lucrative sea otter pelts.
In 1799, Emperor Paul I granted a state-backed entity, the “Russian-American Company,” authority to administer Alaska, leading to settlements like Sitka, which became its colonial capital after Russia defeated the native Tlingit tribe in 1804.
Nevertheless, Russia’s ambitions in Alaska faced numerous obstacles, including substantial distances from the capital in St. Petersburg, harsh climates, and diminishing resources to maintain settlements and military outposts along the Pacific coast.
By the mid-19th century, the dynamics shifted dramatically due to several factors, including the aftermath of the Crimean War (1853-1856), which forced Russia to rethink its colonial strategy after a humiliating defeat.
The war stemmed from Russia’s invasions in modern-day Romania, leading Britain and France to ally with the Ottoman Empire. Following three years of conflict, Russia reassessed its colonial investments, especially in Alaska, where overhunting had significantly reduced profits.
By the early 1860s, Tsar Alexander II recognized that selling Alaska would alleviate Russia’s financial burdens and minimize risks associated with its proximity to British-controlled Canada amidst growing tensions.
The United States, in the process of westward expansion, viewed the purchase of Alaska as an opportunity and ultimately entered into the 1867 deal for $7.2 million. This acquisition provided the U.S. with nearly 1.5 million square kilometers (600,000 square miles) of territory—approximately two cents an acre.
Despite the bargain, some critics derided the deal at the time, labeling it “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox,” arguing that the land offered little value beyond snow-covered terrain and sparse resources.
In April 1867, the New York Daily Tribune echoed this sentiment, dismissing the land as “waste territory” aside from a few settlements like Sitka and the Prince of Wales Islands.
However, the discovery of gold during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1896 shifted public opinion, proving the area’s worth and gradually altering perceptions about Alaska’s strategic importance. Over the years, Alaska transitioned from a mockery to a valued part of the United States.
Ultimately, in January 1959, Alaska achieved statehood, embarking on an economic journey that has since diversified significantly beyond gold mining.
Commercial fishing, particularly for salmon and halibut, emerged as major industries in the early 20th century. World War II saw the development of military bases that bolstered infrastructure and population growth in the region.
Yet, the most consequential development occurred in 1968, with the discovery of extensive oil reserves at Prudhoe Bay along the Arctic coast. The influx of oil revenues became instrumental in funding public services and establishing the Alaska Permanent Fund.
This fund grants annual dividends to residents, generated from investments in stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets, ensuring that Alaska’s wealth born from oil continues to benefit its populace long after reserves are depleted.
As a result, the state can maintain a unique financial structure, notably lacking an income tax or state sales tax, setting it apart from the broader United States.
In addition to its economic transformation, tourism in Alaska has surged, attracting visitors eager to experience its breathtaking national parks and stunning glaciers. Today, Alaska stands as a testament to the value of what was once scorned, evolving into a resource-abundant state built on a foundation of natural resource extraction, fishing, and tourism.
image source from：aljazeera
