Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet on Friday at the remote Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a US military installation in Anchorage, Alaska.
Elmendorf-Richardson combines the Air Force’s Elmendorf base and the US Army’s Fort Richardson.
The base is Alaskan and homes more than 32,000 people, or approximately 10 percent of Anchorage’s population.
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US paratroopers during a training session at the base
The region holds significance for Russia as the US purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire 158 years ago.
Alaska’s Little Diomede Island is less than three miles from Russia’s Big Diomede Island in the Bering Strait, demonstrating the proximity of the countries.
During the Cold War, the base was regarded as “particularly important” for defending the US against the then-Soviet Union, according to the Library of Congress.
Despite this proximity, Putin will be the first Russian president to visit Anchorage.
Paratroopers in the sky above the facility
Some have criticized the US president’s decision to hold talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict in Alaska.
“It’s easy to imagine Putin making the argument during his meetings with Trump that, ‘Well, look, territories can change hands,'” said Nigel Gould-Davies, former British ambassador to Belarus.
“‘We gave you Alaska. Why can’t Ukraine give us a part of its territory?'”
Although this will be Trump’s first trip to Alaska since beginning his second term, he made several visits to Elmendorf-Richardson during his first term.
President Biden visited during his tenure
Joe Biden and Barack Obama also visited; in 2015, Obama became the first US president to set foot north of the Arctic Circle during his trip.
Elmendorf-Richardson hosts aircraft like the F-22 Raptor – a fighter jet the Air Force says “cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft”.
Air Force One during Biden’s visit
The US defense department describes the area as having “picturesque, majestic, snow-capped mountains, lakes, rivers, glaciers, and plenty of wildlife”.
It also advises visitors attempting to drive to the base to bring emergency kits, food, blankets, and extra fuel, as it is so remote.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/the-snowy-remote-army-base-where-trump-will-host-putin-for-talks-13410886
