A Russian government plane has landed in Anchorage, Alaska ahead of the highly anticipated talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The plane, a Boeing 777, arrived at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on Thursday evening.
According to sources, the plane is believed to be carrying Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other high-ranking officials. The purpose of their visit is to discuss the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin, which is set to take place in Helsinki, Finland on July 16.
This unexpected stop in Anchorage has sparked speculation about the potential for a meeting between Trump and Putin to take place in Alaska. However, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has stated that there are no plans for a meeting in Alaska at this time.
The arrival of the Russian government plane has also raised concerns about security and potential disruptions to air traffic in the area. However, airport officials have assured the public that there will be no disruptions and that the plane will be parked in a secure area of the airport.
This is not the first time that Anchorage has been used as a refueling stop for Russian government planes. In 2013, a Russian plane carrying Putin made a similar stop in Anchorage on its way to the G20 summit in Mexico.
The talks between Trump and Putin are highly anticipated, as they will be the first official meeting between the two leaders since Trump took office in 2017. The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues, including the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, as well as nuclear arms control.
The arrival of the Russian government plane in Anchorage serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between the US and Russia. As the world watches and waits for the outcome of the Trump-Putin talks, all eyes will be on Helsinki on July 16.
