“The symbolism of Alaska would be a reminder of how it was possible for the United States and Russia for most of the 19th century to transcend their ideological and political differences and their expansionisms, to have warm, friendly cooperative relations,” says David S. Foglesong, a history professor at Rutgers University - New Brunswick.

President Donald Trump said his goal is to save Ukrainian and Russian lives during Friday's peace summit that will be held at a military base in Alaska.

Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are holding their first bilateral meeting since 2019 with the fate of Ukraine’s war seemingly in the balance. Three CFR experts assess the prospects for