President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, this Friday to discuss potential steps towards ending the prolonged war in Ukraine.
In anticipation of the summit, Trump issued a warning during a virtual meeting with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, about the possibility of ‘severe consequences’ should Putin refuse to agree to a ceasefire after more than three years of conflict.
The meeting venue is Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a significant U.S. military installation located on the northern edge of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city.
This base spans 64,000 acres and plays a crucial role in U.S. Arctic military drills and operational readiness. During a visit in 2019, Trump referred to the troops stationed there as ‘America’s first line of defence’ in the country’s last frontier.
Interestingly, Alaska’s history with Russia dates back to the 18th century, when the U.S. acquired the territory from Russia in 1867.
In light of the upcoming summit, Russian presidential assistant Yuri Ushakov emphasized the geographical proximity of the nations, suggesting it is only logical for the leaders to meet in Alaska, given their shared history.
Russia’s interest in Alaska began when Tsar Peter the Great sent Danish navigator Vitus Bering in 1725 to explore the coast. The region, rich in natural resources like sea otter pelts, held great appeal to Russia but faced numerous challenges due to its isolation and harsh conditions.
The Russian-American Company, established in 1799, was granted a monopoly over Alaska, leading to settlements such as Sitka, which became the colonial capital after overcoming the native Tlingit tribe in 1804.
However, as the 19th century progressed, Russia faced mounting difficulties, with the vast distance from St. Petersburg, supply shortages, and competition from American explorers complicating their ambitions.
Changes in Alaska’s governance were inevitable. Following the Crimean War (1853-1856), Russia’s attention shifted when it suffered a humiliating defeat against Britain and France, prompting a reevaluation of its colonial priorities.
The costs of the war depleted Russian resources, leading to the realization that Alaska was not bringing in profits due to overhunting and its proximity to British territories.
By the early 1860s, Tsar Alexander II decided selling Alaska would both raise necessary funds and prevent the British from seizing it in the event of another conflict. The United States, fully engaged in territorial expansion, emerged as a logical buyer.
On March 30, 1867, Secretary of State William Seward negotiated the acquisition of Alaska for $7.2 million, a price that equated to just 2 cents per acre.
Initially met with skepticism in the U.S., many critics referred to the deal as ‘Seward’s Folly’ or ‘Seward’s Icebox,’ arguing that the territory was largely barren and lacked value.
The sentiment shifted dramatically following the Klondike Gold Strike in 1896, which revealed Alaska’s riches, thereby justifying its purchase and altering the perception of the land’s worth.
As decades passed, Alaska’s economic landscape evolved, moving beyond gold as its primary economic driver. Commercial fishing, particularly for salmon and halibut, grew into a crucial industry, while copper mining flourished in areas like Kennecott.
World War II further transformed Alaska as military bases were established, leading to infrastructure improvements and population increases.
The discovery of vast oil reserves at Prudhoe Bay in 1968 marked a pivotal turning point in Alaska’s economy, transitioning it into a future driven by oil revenues.
These revenues not only supported public services but also funded the Alaska Permanent Fund, which provides annual dividends to residents from the returns on investments held by the fund.
Thanks to this innovative financial construct, Alaska is one of the few states in the U.S. with no state income tax or state sales tax, a rare achievement.
In recent years, tourism has surged as well, thanks to Alaska’s stunning national parks and glaciers, further contributing to the state’s economy.
Today, Alaska stands transformed from a disregarded acquisition into a resource-rich state, benefitting from a combination of natural resource extraction, commercial fishing, and tourism.
The upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin could signify a crucial moment, potentially serving as a historic chapter in the evolving relationship between the U.S. and Russia, all set against the backdrop of Alaska’s unique history.
image source from：aljazeera
