Donald Trump is facing a storm after reports claimed he is preparing to offer Russian President Vladimir Putin access to natural resources off Alaska’s coast in exchange for ending the war in Ukraine.
The Daily Telegraph said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is looking at what economic trade-offs the U.S. could give Russia to reach a ceasefire. That includes giving Putin a slice of the rare earth minerals in Russian-occupied Ukraine and opening the door to oil and gas in the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia.
There is no confirmation from the White House, but the idea has already triggered fury online.
The White House told the Telegraph: “We do not comment on deliberative conversations that may or may not be happening.”
Trump is expected to meet Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage on Friday, hoping for what he calls a breakthrough in the war. The meeting comes after failed U.S. ceasefire talks led by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff. On Wednesday, Trump warned that Russia would face “very severe” consequences if it did not stop fighting.
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The report said Trump could also lift sanctions on Russia’s aviation industry to sweeten the deal. Ukraine holds an estimated 10% of the world’s lithium, with its largest deposits now under Russian control. The Bering Strait is believed to hide significant oil and gas reserves.
If true, the move would put Russia right next to U.S. territory in a strategically vital Arctic zone. Many see that as a dangerous gamble.
Kinzinger exploded on X: “so hang on…. Trump is going to offer to open up F*** ALASKA TO THE RUSSIANS?? Wow. Let’s see republicans defend this.”
X user Amy Coplan wrote: “No, no, & no! It’s not Trump’s place to offer Alaska’s resources, just as it’s not his place to offer any of Ukraine! He’s neither a king nor an emperor.” Another user said: “If true, under no circumstance can this be allowed. The president does not own America’s resources. PERIOD.”
No, no, & no!
It’s not Trump’s place to offer Alaska’s resources, just as it’s not his place to offer any of Ukraine!
He’s neither a king nor an emperor.
Why does Trump so often submit to Putin? Why is he so easily manipulated? It’s highly embarrassing. It seems that, among…
— Amy Coplan (@amycoplan) August 14, 2025
Kate from Kharkiv, a pro-Ukraine voice, posted: “Americans, are you ok with offering Alaskan natural resources to russia?”
Americans, are you ok with offering Alaskan natural resources to russia? 🤯https://t.co/FTxLqt16fo pic.twitter.com/tJ483QvzMm
— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) August 13, 2025
Andreas Østhagen from the Fridtjof Nansen Institute told Newsweek that Anchorage makes sense for talks about the Arctic, including “oil and gas exploration, developing the Northern Sea route, and fishing.” He said joint exploration in shared areas like the Chukchi Sea could be discussed.
But offering Putin financial incentives would clash with the tough sanctions Trump has threatened. After a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump repeated that sanctions could get even harsher if Russia refused peace.
Richard Portes, professor of economics at London Business School, said Russia’s economy is already struggling. “There is a significant slowdown and I think that slowdown will accelerate if serious economic pressure is applied, Putin is playing a weak hand,” he told Newsweek.
Protests are planned in Anchorage ahead of Putin’s arrival. Thousands are expected on Thursday. Trump has hinted that if Friday’s meeting goes well, he might bring Zelensky into a second round of talks with Putin.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
