When the two presidents meet in Alaska on Friday, it will be the latest chapter in the 49th state’s long history with Russia

In 1867, the United States bought Alaska from Russia for $7 million without consulting the Indigenous people who lived there. Now, on that same soil, the two sides are preparing to strike a «deal» over Ukraine's future.

American officials quickly discovered a major snag in planning for the summit: summertime is peak tourist season in Alaska, and options both available and equipped to host the two world leaders were severely limited.