Trump, Putin set to meet in Alaska: How locals are reacting to Putin's planned visit

The Guardian reports that Anchorage residents are approaching Friday’s Trump-Putin summit with a mix of skepticism, wariness, and humor.

“We’ve had a pretty good summer. Getting projects done, going out hunting, fishing, camping, four-wheeling. But it’s coming to the close of the season, so I’ve seen several people say, ‘They better not f*ck up my plans,’” said Jeff Landfield of the Alaska Landmine.

Alaskans take pride in their independence from the rest of the U.S., or “the lower 48,” said Colleen Heaney-Mead, a daycare owner. “We don’t want to be part of whatever is happening there. We don’t have to do everything they do.”

While the summit is not Anchorage’s first brush with diplomacy, this visit feels different: Russia is a nearby presence, and its policies impact local fishermen. Hollis French, a retired state senator, said, “You feel like Anchorage is back on the map in a way, which I think everyone sort of enjoys. Although I had dinner last night with two friends, and we’re all sort of pessimistic and skeptical. You know, I would say we’re expecting Trump to do something horrible.”

Trump’s earlier comment about meeting Putin “in Russia” raised eyebrows. “The satirical Alaskan response is: ‘Please don’t sell us back,’” Heaney-Mead said.

Andy Moderow, who grew up near the end of the Cold War, noted, “Russia is a neighbor. If you’ve grown up in the state, you are aware of Russia, and its proximity – even though Sarah Palin kind of oversold it in her debate.”

Alaskans understand the threat: “We are aware that they’re a hostile neighbor. We are aware that they probe our defenses and we respond accordingly,” said French. “I think most people know that the leader of the country is not, you know, the embodiment of the country. But [Putin] certainly got his people cowed. And so I think Alaskans are wary of him.”

Political reporter Matt Acuña Buxton added that there’s “broad dissatisfaction” with Putin visiting the state. “A lot of Alaskans really understand that Putin and Putin’s administration are really not friends of Alaskans,” he said.

Locals are also coping with humor. Polls and newsletters joke about Trump and Putin meeting at Sarah Palin’s house, hiking Flattop Mountain, or staying at local inns. “Ultimately, in the big picture of things, this is about Ukraine,” said Acuña Buxton. “[But] I think for Alaskans, it’s just sort of like a chance to roll our eyes a little bit and make some jokes.”