A plane carrying Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson on Aug. 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. President Trump is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Alaska’s top elected officials expressed hope about President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage on Friday.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy and the state’s congressional delegation welcomed Trump when he arrived.
Dunleavy has been a vocal supporter of the Trump administration and called it “a historic day for Alaska,” sharing enthusiasm and praise for the president in interviewsahead of the summit.
In a video on social media on Friday, Dunleavy said he met briefly with Trump aboard Air Force One, and “talked about a number of things,” he said. “He wants to let Alaska know he loves Alaska. And he’s looking forward to something positive coming out of these talks today.”
Dunleavy said Trump also briefly addressed “rumors that Alaska’s minerals are going to be sold off to the Russians,” or gas or other resources sold off in the negotiations, and “that’s not true,” he said.
“Again, we’re optimistic that this is the beginning of something good, a just peace,” he said. “But we’re just glad to have him here in Alaska, I think it’s one of his favorite places, to be honest with you.”
While Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan has previously criticized Putin, referring to him as an authoritarian and a dictator, he praised the summit on social media on Friday as a show of strength.
“Putin is coming to the table because of the threat of serious secondary sanctions,” Sullivan said. “We are in a position of power, bringing him to U.S. soil for peace talks. He sees our military strength, energy dominance, many allies, and a President who knows how to negotiate and make peace.”
Rep. Nick Begich III also expressed general support for Trump on social media Friday, and thanked the president. “In Alaska, we understand well that decisive leadership and bold vision are prerequisites for achieving the great things most would not dare to even attempt. Thank you President Donald J. Trump for pursuing peace, and thank you for choosing Alaska for this historic dialogue. North to the Future.”
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski strongly condemned Putin and the Russian war on Ukraine, in an interview with Alaska’s News Source on Thursday, calling him a “war criminal.”
On Friday afternoon, Murkowski said in a post on social media she was “cautiously optimistic” about the summit, and repeated the assertion that nothing can be done without the involvement of Ukraine.
“While the press conference offered few details about their meeting, I’m cautiously optimistic about the signals that some level of progress was made. It was also encouraging to hear both presidents reference future meetings, which I hope will include Ukraine,” Murkowski said. “Ukraine must be part of any negotiated settlement and must freely agree to its terms as we seek an end to the violent, unlawful war being waged against it.”
The Alaska Senate’s Republican-led minority caucus said in a statement Friday they support Trump “in his effort to achieve a fair and lasting peace to the terrible war in Ukraine.”
Senate Minority leader Mike Shower, R-Wasilla – a former service member with the U.S. Air Force – expressed hope for the war to end.
“As a combat veteran in two conflicts, I understand the costs of war,” he said. “I hope the leaders work in good faith to find a quick end to the senseless bloodshed.”
