US President Donald Trump insisted Thursday he would not be intimidated by Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the eve of a high-stakes summit and said Ukraine would be involved in any deal on its fate.

“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.

Tomorrow, President Trump and Russia President Putin could hold a joint press conference in Alaska. The two leaders will also speak privately about the war in Ukraine, however, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will not be in attendance.