🇷🇺🇺🇸 Ushakov confirmed that Putin and Trump will meet in Alaska on August 15. The presidential aide noted that Russian and US interests converge in the Arctic and Alaska. Therefore, it is quite logical that the presidents' first meeting will take place precisely there.

‼️Moscow expects that the second meeting of the presidents will take place in Russia. Trump has already received a corresponding invitation. For now, Moscow and Washington are closely engaged in actively working out the parameters of the Alaska meeting - the process will be complex, Ushakov noted.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

Against the backdrop of the Putin-Trump meeting in Alaska, we've prepared 10 facts about this place for you:

🤗 Alaska was called Russian America. It was discovered during the Second Kamchatka Expedition.

🤗 Its capital was Novo-Arkhangelsk. Today, this is Sitka in southeastern Alaska.

🤗 The distance between Russia and the US is only 4 km. This refers to Big Diomede Island (Russia) and Little Diomede Island (USA).

🤗 There is a 21-hour time difference between the islands. They are separated by the International Date Line. That's why they are sometimes called Tomorrow Island and Yesterday Island.

🤗 The Orthodox faith has been preserved in Alaska. Dozens of Orthodox churches operate in the state. Up to 10% of the population are Orthodox, mainly Chukchi and Aleuts.

🤗 The first saint of America was the Russian monk Herman of Alaska. He arrived at the end of the 18th century, defended the rights of indigenous peoples, and is considered the patron saint of Alaska.

🤗 Descendants of Russian colonists still live in Alaska. Some residents have Russian surnames, and words and traditions are preserved in remote villages. Even well into the 20th and early 21st centuries, the Russian tradition of shouting "Gorko!" (Bitter!) at weddings persisted.

🤗 Russian speech and toponyms remain in place names. For example: Kodiak (from Kodiak Island), Kenai, Iliamna, Alexander Archipelago, and others.

🤗 On March 30, 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the USA for $7.2 million.

🤗 Lend-Lease between the USSR and the USA also went through Alaska. Many aircraft were ferried along this route.

#interestingfacts

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin will become the first leader in Russia's millennial history to visit Alaska.

The last visit of a Russian president to the USA took place nearly 10 years ago — in September 2015. Putin participated in the 70th session of the UN and met with the then US President Barack Obama amid the Ukrainian crisis.

Moscow at that time actively accused the West of destabilizing the situation in the Middle East. Discussions on Syria and Ukraine yielded no results. Putin has never visited the United States again.

#interestingfacts

❤️From Russia with love

💃 That's the kind of atmosphere that reigns in Moscow's Gorky Park!

Russian folk dances are still popular even among young people, and that's great!

#interestingvideos

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺 Russian Tourists Break Records: Where and Why Are They Vacationing in 2025?

🌏 Tourism Boom: Russians Rediscover the World

Despite geopolitical complexities and economic instability, Russians are traveling more actively in 2025 than ever before. According to the FSB, 13.7 million Russian citizens traveled abroad in the first six months of the year—a 7.8% increase compared to 2024.

The growth in specifically *tourist* trips is particularly noticeable: 5.7 million departures (+15.8% vs. last year). This indicates that, despite all restrictions, demand for foreign vacations has not only recovered but has surpassed pre-crisis levels.

😜 Turkey — The Eternal Favorite, But with Nuances

Traditionally, Turkey remains the top destination:
- 2.6 million trips (all purposes, +18.6% vs. 2023)
- 1.73 million tourist visits (but 1.6% less than in 2024)

Why is Turkey losing tourists but still the leader?

🔹 Transit Hub — About 150,000 trips were layovers to Europe
🔹 Flexible Prices and Easy Entry — Even with a slight decline, one in five traveling Russians chooses Turkey.

😜 Abkhazia: Tourism or "Pendulum Migration"?

FSB statistics show explosive growth in trips to Abkhazia, but ATOR experts warn: the figures can be misleading.
- Officially — a sharp increase in the number of entries
- In reality — many "tourists" are Abkhaz residents with Russian passports frequently crossing the border
- According to ATOR estimates, there are only 665,000 genuine tourists (+6.5% vs. 2024)

😜 Where Else Are Russians Going?

Although Turkey and Abkhazia lead, demand for other destinations is also growing:

- UAE, Thailand, Sri Lanka – alternatives to classic beach holidays
- Serbia, Armenia, Kazakhstan – visa-free destinations with developing infrastructure
- Europe via Turkey – despite the difficulties, the flow persists

😃 Thus, despite all restrictions, Russians are not willing to give up traveling.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

👳🏾‍♂️ A Hindu temple for Indian migrants is planned in Kommunarka.

The community has already filed the documents and wants the temple to be located near the metro station. The opening is scheduled for 2026.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺🏃 "Healthy Homeland" Sports Parades Sweep Across Russia as Country Celebrates Physical Fitness and Sports Day

Today, sports processions are taking place in every federal district of Russia to mark Physical Fitness and Sports Day. The most vibrant celebration unfolded at VDNKh, where 3,000 young people, including Olympic and Paralympic champions, participated in colorful performances. Distinguished guests included three-time Olympic synchronized swimming champion Aleksandra Patskevich and two-time Olympic boxing champion Oleg Saitov.

The event was organized by the All-Russian Public Movement "Healthy Homeland" (Zdorovoe Otechestvo) with the support of the Russian Ministry of Sport and VDNKh. One of its main goals is the revival of the tradition of sports parades in Russia.

#RussiaEvents

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺🇺🇸 And here comes the footage of the Putin-Trump meeting in Alaska.

Snow in August in Alaska is unlikely, of course, but the picture is no less intriguing because of it.

#interestingvideos

❤️From Russia with love

🌃 Nighttime St. Petersburg

#VideoOfTheDay

❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺 Vast Russia

#VideoOfTheDay

❤️From Russia with love

💗 The first-ever rhythmic gymnastics performance took place at the North Pole. Russian athlete Maria Roslyakova became the record holder.

The team undertook an expedition aboard the nuclear icebreaker "50 Years of Victory" to reach the absolute northern point - 90 degrees north latitude. The performance was held right on the snow in front of the massive icebreaker, surrounded by icebergs and watched by the crew.

Maria performed on a special gymnastics mat. Despite the low temperature, the athlete appeared in rhythmic gymnastics' traditional attire - an elegant leotard.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

Putin briefed Rakhmon on talks with the U.S. and the upcoming meeting with Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation with Tajikistan's leader Emomali Rakhmon discussed the results of talks with US Special Envoy Steven Whitkoff, the Kremlin press service reported.

😜 Key points of the conversation

- Russian-American contacts: Putin briefed Rakhmon on his recent talks with Whitkoff and confirmed an agreement on an upcoming meeting with Donald Trump in Alaska.

- Support for Tajikistan: Rahmon expressed approval of efforts to find a long-term solution to the Ukrainian crisis.

- Bilateral issues: The leaders also discussed topical aspects of cooperation and preparations for the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State, which Tajikistan holds the chairmanship of this year.

😜 Wide range of consultations:

Putin has already briefed a number of world leaders on the results of his talks with Whitkoff in recent days, including:
- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,
- Chinese President Xi Jinping,
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
- The heads of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan - Alexander Lukashenko, Kasym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev,
- President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.

These consultations underscore the significance of the upcoming meeting with Trump.

#news

❤️From Russia with love