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

While no deal was announced, the Russian leader secured some wins and left on good terms with the U.S. president.

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.