Trump has visited Alaska several times as president, pushed for expanded oil, gas and mining permits there, and even got funding for new polar icebreakers, a popular stance in a state he won with 54% of the vote in 2024.

President Trump told reporters on Friday that he's willing to talk about business with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but said there would be no deals "until we get the war solved" in Ukraine.

It was a welcome tailored for a close friend, not a war criminal, and it looked to the Ukrainians like their nightmare.