The two leaders will meet in the US state later for the first time in six years - but Ukraine's Zelensky has not been invited.

“The symbolism of Alaska would be a reminder of how it was possible for the United States and Russia for most of the 19th century to transcend their ideological and political differences and their expansionisms, to have warm, friendly cooperative relations,” says David S. Foglesong, a history professor at Rutgers University - New Brunswick.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin might be chasing different outcomes from the much anticipated Alaska summit on Friday. While the US president believes he can make a ceasefire deal with Putin, Russia's leader might have other ideas.