Sentiment toward Russia in Alaska has cooled since Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022. The Anchorage Assembly voted unanimously to suspend its three-decade-long sister city relationship with Magadan, Russia, and the Juneau Assembly sent its sister city of Vladivostok a letter expressing concern.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is a prime midway rest stop for dignitaries on the route from Washington to eastern Asia.

President Donald Trump's meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin is set for a military base in Alaska that was crucial to countering the Soviet Union during the height of Cold War and still plays a role today.