President Donald Trump is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday amid mounting pressure to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

The talks on Friday in Alaska pull the Russian leader out of diplomatic isolation from the West, and Ukrainian and European leaders fear it gives him an opening to sway the American president.

As President Trump is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, NBC News’ Gadi Schwartz looks at the historical ties between the state of Alaska and Russia.