&w=3840&q=100)
Trump, Putin to meet at Alaska's largest military base: Why was this remote site chosen?
US Air Force F-22 Raptor fighters participate in a close formation taxi, known as an Elephant Walk during the two-week Polar Force exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, US, March 26, 2019. File Image/US Air Force via Reuters
United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet on Friday (August 15, 2025) at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.
The event will mark the first in-person meeting between the leaders of the two nations in more than five years, and the first visit by a Russian head of state to Anchorage.
How the venue for the Alaska summit was chosen
Selecting a host site for the summit proved far more difficult than usual for a meeting of this scale. August is peak tourist season in Alaska, which left many of the state's larger hotels, convention spaces, and event venues fully booked.
In addition, the security requirements for hosting a US-Russia summit are extensive. The venue must provide secure meeting areas, space for motorcade operations, controlled airspace, and infrastructure for sensitive communications.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Officials examined possibilities in Alaska's capital, Juneau, as well as Fairbanks and Anchorage.
However, most civilian locations, including several large Anchorage facilities, either lacked the capacity to be sealed off from the public or could not meet the necessary technical and security specifications.
When news of the planned meeting began circulating, some prominent Alaskans reportedly contacted Trump's allies offering to host the leaders at their private homes.
These offers, while well-meaning, did not meet the required standards for accreditation systems, layered physical security, and dedicated press and support areas.
By early this week, organisers concluded that Anchorage — Alaska's largest city and a key transport hub — was the only city capable of hosting the event.
Within Anchorage, only Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson met every requirement.
Despite initial reservations in the White House about the optics of holding the meeting on a US military installation, the site's readiness and capabilities left no other feasible choice.
Why Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson fits the bill
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) is a combined installation of the US Air Force's Elmendorf Air Force Base and the US Army's Fort Richardson.
Situated on the northern edge of Anchorage, it is the largest military base in Alaska and home to more than 32,000 people — roughly 10 per cent of the city's population.
The base is home to the 3rd Wing of the Pacific Air Forces and houses advanced aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor, described by the US Air Force as unmatched by any known or projected fighter.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
It also hosts the headquarters of Alaskan Command (ALCOM), the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Region, and the Eleventh Air Force.
For the summit, JBER offers controlled airspace, fortified meeting areas, and the ability to secure perimeter access points.
The installation has dedicated space for motorcade staging, press operations, and delegation management — all critical for a meeting involving two major world powers.
The base's location carries historic significance as well. The United States purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire in 1867, and the two nations remain geographically close.
Alaska's Little Diomede Island lies less than three miles from Russia's Big Diomede Island across the Bering Strait.
During the Cold War, Elmendorf was considered a vital strategic outpost in the defence of the US against the Soviet Union, according to historical records from the US Library of Congress.
Despite this proximity, Putin will be the first Russian president to set foot in Anchorage.
Behind the location decision: from Europe to Alaska
The decision to hold the summit in Alaska followed extensive discussions between Washington and Moscow. International political realities played a key role in narrowing the list of options.
Since the International Criminal Court issued a war crimes warrant for Putin in 2023, potential European venues — even traditional meeting cities such as Vienna and Geneva — were deemed politically sensitive or impractical.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Russia ruled out European destinations and proposed alternative options, including the United Arab Emirates. Putin himself reportedly described the UAE as 'entirely suitable' for the talks.
However, US officials were reluctant to arrange another long-distance trip to West Asia so soon after Trump's visit there in May.
Other possibilities included Hungary, whose Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has maintained strong ties with both Trump and Putin. In the end, the choice came down to hosting the meeting either in Hungary or the United States, sources told CNN.
American officials were reportedly both pleased and somewhat surprised when Putin agreed to travel to US soil.
Trump publicly welcomed the decision, saying, 'I thought it was very respectful that the president of Russia is coming to our country as opposed to us going to his country or even a third-party place.'
Not everyone viewed the decision as a win for the US. Former national security adviser John Bolton remarked, 'The only better place for Putin than Alaska would be if the summit were being held in Moscow. So, the initial setup, I think, is a great victory for Putin.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
What Elmendorf Air Force Base's history tells us
Construction of Elmendorf Field began on June 8, 1940, as the US sought to establish a permanent military airfield near Anchorage.
The first Air Corps personnel arrived on August 12, 1940.
The installation's name and operational structure changed several times in the following years: it became Elmendorf Army Air Base in June 1942 and later Elmendorf Air Force Base in March 1948.
The base's runways were completed in January 1941, extended in 1945, and further upgraded with concrete aprons in 1957.
Following World War II, Elmendorf played an increasingly important role in North American defense as relations between the United States and the Soviet Union deteriorated into the Cold War.
In 2010, Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson were merged to form Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson as part of a nationwide base realignment initiative.
Over the decades, the base has hosted multiple US presidents. During his first term, Trump visited several times, as did Barack Obama and Joe Biden in their presidencies.
In 2015, Obama became the first US president to travel north of the Arctic Circle during his Alaska visit.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
What will happen at the Alaska summit
Friday's meeting is expected to include a one-on-one discussion between Trump and Putin, attended only by translators, in addition to larger-format talks with delegations.
The White House has described the event as a 'listening session,' with Trump himself calling it a 'feel-out' meeting.
'The president feels like, 'look, I've got to look at this guy across the table. I need to see him face to face. I need to hear him one-on-one. I need to make an assessment by looking at him,'' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained in a Tuesday interview with American radio host Sid Rosenberg.
Trump has had five known phone calls with Putin this year but has said that an in-person encounter is essential to assess the Russian leader's intentions.
Ahead of the summit, Trump will take part in a virtual meeting with European leaders and Ukraine, arranged by Germany, to gather their perspectives.
People wearing head cut-outs depicting US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin jump during a protest at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, February 20, 2025. File Image/Reuters
He has also promised to speak with them again ahead of the talks, including a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy will not attend the Alaska meeting, ruling out a possible trilateral session.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The symbolism of meeting in Alaska is not lost on either side.
With inputs from agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
3 minutes ago
- Hans India
India should take steps to lessen impact of US tariffs
US President Donald J Trump recently took an aggressive action on India by imposing an additional tariffs of 25 per cent over and above 25 per cent already imposed recently as the order cites threats to the United States by the Government of Russian Federation as the India continues to purchase of Russian Federation Oil, which has not been responding adequately to the peace efforts taken by President Trump but continues to attack Ukraine. US President Trump feels that purchasing oil from Russia in this period of Russia and Ukraine war, gives the necessary financial support to Russia and that would directly or indirectly help Russia in carrying out its war against Ukraine. It can be recalled that President Trump had earlier expressed his dissatisfaction with India over its oil purchase from Russia. This order imposing an additional tariff of 25 per cent on Indian imports as an action against continued purchase of Russian oil, established a process for the potential imposition of similar tariffs on other countries that directly or indirectly import oil from Russia. These measures are taken as the US feels that Russian Federation actions in Ukraine pose a threat to US national security and foreign policy. The reasons stated that India's importation of Russian Federation oil undermines US efforts to counter Russia's harmful activities. India's subsequent reselling of this oil on the open market, often at significant profit, further enables Russia to fund its aggression. By imposing a 25 per cent tariff, President Trump aims to deter other countries from supporting the Russian Federation's economy through oil imports. China, India and Turkey are the biggest customers of Russian oil and there are other countries too like Hungary, Belgium, France, Slovakia and Netherlands. These European countries bought natural gas. India, in its response, stated that India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability. It's a known fact that India depends upon external countries for supply of oil as it imports 85 per cent of its requirements and oil is the essential requirement for India and it is in national interest to ensure supply of oil to the people. Apart from Europe which not only imports energy, but also fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery from Russia, the US continued to import Uranium Hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV Industry, fertilizers as well as chemicals from Russia. Hence, India has categorically stated that in this background, targeting it is unjustified and unreasonable. India further said that like any major economy, it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. However, President Trump may be irritated with the tough stand taken by India on opening of the agricultural sector and animal husbandry, etc., and the interim/ final trade agreement could not be achieved within the deadline. But India made its intention clear. 'We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India,' the Indian government said in a statement. It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US chose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries also taking in their own national interest. With this additional tariff, India has the highest tariff of 50 per cent along with Brazil which is also facing highest 50 per cent. This additional tariff on India will be effective from August 27. The textiles exports, gem and jewellery, automobiles and auto components, marine products and some agricultural and processed foods are likely to be significantly affected by the US' additional tariffs on the Indian goods. Other sectors that could be impacted include steel, aluminium and some other petrochemical products. However, India can reduce the adverse impact of the US tariffs by reducing operational costs for manufacturers through ease of doing business measures. It can also go for market diversification. Few experts have said that this could be an opportunity for India to bring in significant reforms to reduce the burden by improving the supply chains. Efforts should also be made to reduce logistics cost and pave way for easy and quick turnaround time at ports and airports. Indirectly referring to the US tariffs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that India will never compromise with the interests of its farmers and fisherman. He further added that while he knew he would 'have to pay the price' for his stand, he said he was ready to do it for farmers. He is bang on, to say the least. Whatever the motive of Donald Trump, the tariffs being imposed by the US on India are unreasonable and unjustified. Such unreasonable decisions will have an adverse impact on the long-standing relationship India and USA have. Hopefully, a trade pact between India and the US will reduce tensions between the two countries.
NDTV
3 minutes ago
- NDTV
Trump Justifies Involvement In Wars Worldwide, Brings Up India-Pak Again
US President Donald Trump has again brought up the recent India-Pakistan conflict, reiterating his claim that the US helped in averting a nuclear escalation between the two Asian neighbours. India maintains that the May conflict ended through a ceasefire sought by Pakistan after suffering heavy damage. Pakistan had credited Trump, echoing him as it has been doing to gain the US attention. Trump said his main goal is to "save lives", trying to justify his involvement in conflicts worldwide, even if those didn't impact the US on a significant scale, in an interview with Fox News, after his unsuccessful summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. His response came to a question by Fox News's Sean Hannity, who sought to know if he wanted to save the world. "Number one, to save lives in all cases, because wars are wars. When you see what would have happened with Cambodia as an example. Now, I'm not involved, but I was involved in negotiating a trade deal. And I said, you guys are going to be fighting Thailand, Cambodia, so many different," the President replied. Bringing up India-Pakistan tensions, he went on to claim that he averted what could have led to a nuclear escalation. "Take a look at India and Pakistan. They were shooting down airplanes already. And that would have been maybe nuclear. I would have said it was going to go nuclear. And I was able to get it done," he said. "Number one is lives. And number two is everything else. Wars are very bad," he added. India and Pakistan had engaged in a brief four-day conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 22. In the massacre, 26 innocent civilians were shot dead in cold blood by Pakistan-linked terrorists while vacationing in the scenic Baisaran valley in Pahalgam. In response, Indian forces had carried out Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror camps deep within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In the mega military offensive, over 100 terrorists were eliminated. Pakistan responded to the aerial attacks with drones and missiles that were eventually brought down by India's air defence. This continued till May 10, when Pakistan approached the Indian side and requested a ceasefire. However, Trump claimed that the hostilities ended due to his involvement that came with a tariff threat - a claim that India has denied multiple times. Trump has also claimed he helped end conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia, Iran and Israel, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia, saying this justified a Nobel Peace Prize for the President. The President has brokered about one peace deal or ceasefire per month, on average, in his first six months in office, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this month, reiterating Trump's demand for a Nobel.
News18
11 minutes ago
- News18
States move to send hundreds of National Guard members to Washington
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Washington, Aug 17 (AP) Three states moved to deploy hundreds of members of their National Guard to the nation's capital as part of the Trump administration's effort to overhaul policing in Washington through a federal crackdown on crime and homelessness. West Virginia said it was deploying 300 to 400 Guard troops, while South Carolina pledged 200 and Ohio says it will send 150 in the coming days. The moves announced Saturday came as protesters pushed back on federal law enforcement and National Guard troops fanning out in the heavily Democratic city following President Donald Trump's executive order federalising local police forces and activating about 800 District of Columbia National Guard members. By adding outside troops to join the existing Guard deployment and federal law enforcement officers, Trump is exercising even tighter control over the city. It's a power play that the president has justified as an emergency response to crime and homelessness, even though city officials have noted that violent crime is lower than it was during Trump's first term in office. So far, National Guard members have played a limited role in law enforcement in D.C. and it's unclear why additional troops are needed. They have been seen patrolling at landmarks like the National Mall and Union Station and assisting with crowd control. A protest against Trump's intervention drew scores to Dupont Circle on Saturday before a march to the White House, about 1.5 miles away. Demonstrators assembled behind a banner that said, 'No fascist takeover of D.C.," and some in the crowd held signs saying, 'No military occupation." Trump was at his Virginia golf club after Friday's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Protest pushes back on federal officers in Washington Morgan Taylor, one of the organisers who coordinated Saturday's protest, said they were hoping to spark enough backlash to Trump's actions that the administration would be forced to pull back on its crime and immigration agenda. 'It's hot, but I'm glad to be here. It's good to see all these people out here," she said. 'I can't believe that this is happening in this country at this time." Fuelling the protests were concerns about Trump overreach and that he had used crime as a pretext to impose his will on Washington. John Finnigan, 55, was taking a bike ride when he ran into the protest in downtown Washington. The real estate construction manager who has lived in the capital for 27 years said Trump's moves were 'ridiculous" because crime is down. 'Hopefully, some of the mayors and some of the residents will get out in front of it and try and make it harder for it to happen in other cities," Finnigan said. Jamie Dickstein, a 24-year-old teacher, said she was 'very uncomfortable and worried" for the safety or her students given the 'unmarked officers of all types" now roaming Washington and detaining people. Dickstein said she turned out to the protest with friends and relatives to 'prevent a continuous domino effect going forward with other cities." National Guard is coming to DC from West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio Gov. Patrick Morrisey, announced Saturday that he was sending a contingent of 300 to 400 Guard troops to Washington, while South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster authorised the deployment of 200 of his state's National Guardsmen and Ohio Gov Mike DeWine said his state would send 150 military police at the request of the US Defence Department. 'West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation's capital," Morrisey said. The West Virginia activation suggests the administration sees the need for additional manpower after the president personally played down the need for Washington to hire more police officers. Maj. Gen. James Seward, West Virginia's adjutant general, said in a statement that members of the state's National Guard 'stand ready to support our partners in the National Capital Region" and that the troops' 'unique capabilities and preparedness make it an invaluable partner in this important undertaking." Federal law enforcement in Washington draws mixed reactions Federal agents have appeared in some of the city's most highly trafficked neighbourhoods, garnering a mix of praise, pushback and alarm from local residents and leaders across the country. City leaders, who are obliged to cooperate with Trump's order under the federal laws that direct the district's local governance, have sought to work with the administration, though they have bristled at the scope of the president's takeover. On Friday, the administration reversed course on an order that aimed to place the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as an 'emergency police commissioner" after the district's top lawyer sued to contest. After a court hearing, Trump's attorney general, Pam Bondi, issued a memo that directed the Metropolitan Police Department to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement regardless of any city law. City officials say they are evaluating how to best comply. In his order Monday, Trump declared an emergency due to the 'city government's failure to maintain public order." He said that impeded the 'federal government's ability to operate efficiently to address the nation's broader interests without fear of our workers being subjected to rampant violence." In a letter to city residents, Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, wrote that 'our limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now." She added that if Washington residents stick together, 'we will show the entire nation what it looks like to fight for American democracy — even when we don't have full access to it." (AP) GRS GRS (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 17, 2025, 09:45 IST News agency-feeds States move to send hundreds of National Guard members to Washington Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
