Alaska and Crimea remain linked in some ways today, both viewed by some nationalists as historic Russian regions lost by weak leaders – Yeltsin, the first president of independent Russia, is reviled for recognizing Crimea as part of Ukraine after the USSR collapsed.

The following is the transcript of an interview with Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan airing on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Aug. 17, 2025.

The meeting between President Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is taking place in a region rich with significance for Moscow. Once Russian territory, Alaska was sold by Alexander II in 1867 for $7.

In a press release on Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard revealed that its Arctic District sent a C-130J long range surveillance aircraft from Kodiak Island—south of mainland Alaska—on Wednesday to query Chinese research vessels operating in what it called U.S. Arctic waters.

Defending Division I champion Dimond was shut out in a 12-0 loss to Bartlett while powerhouse Soldotna scored at will in a 78-41 win over Palmer.

The arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday will mark a rare occasion when the Kremlin leader will set foot on American soil. Putin, who is due to land in Anchorage later on Friday, hasn’t visited the U.

Russia's decision to sell Alaska was influenced by its financial struggles following the Crimean War and the desire to strengthen ties with the United States, a fellow rival of Great Britain. Selling Alaska provided Russia with much-needed cash and ensured that Britain would not gain control of the territory.

Halibut Olympia, a Tuesday-night kind of recipe, was part of the planning (if not the eating) at the Friday meeting.