On Friday, former Russian territory now a U.S. state will host a Trump‑Putin summit at the Elmendorf‑Richardson airbase, chosen for its security and isolation.
Putin‑Trump Summit: Why Elmendorf‑Richardson Base?
On Friday, August 15 at 21:00 Polish time, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will convene in Anchorage, Alaska, at the Elmendorf‑Richardson military base. The venue is the most heavily guarded facility in the region, meeting strict security requirements. It lies approximately 4,300 km from Moscow and 3,300 km from Washington, making it a symbolic midpoint between Russia and the U.S. The base has historically hosted at least four U.S. presidents.
Trump’s Final Wish
According to former President Benjamin Jensen of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, as quoted by Axios, Trump emphasizes that any venue that isolates the meeting and allows control over conditions is essential for both sides. He adds that the last thing he wants is mass protest photographs against a war criminal like Putin.
Venue to Diminish the “Circus” Atmosphere
Alaska News reports that Anchorage was chosen because it sits midway for all parties and offers sufficient isolation to reduce the “circus” atmosphere while ensuring all necessary security measures and amenities. The U.S. military base provides the ideal location to meet the security demands of this high‑stakes summit. A 500‑kilometer security bubble will surround the meeting, monitored by both U.S. and Russian forces.
Largest Military Facility in Alaska
The Elmendorf‑Richardson base is the largest military installation on the state, hosting thousands of soldiers and their families. Established in 2010 from the merger of Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson, the base has historically been vital in monitoring Soviet activities during the Cold War and tracking potential nuclear or military actions from the Pacific region. In the late 19th century, Alaska was sold by Russia to the United States.
