As previously announced, Trump and Putin are meeting in Alaska, a former Russian territory, on August 15 to hold talks on ending the war in Ukraine.

Trump, during a press conference today talked about his plan to deploy the National Guard to Washington, and in passing commented on the departure, as he said,"to Russia on meeting with Putin on Friday".

- I'm uncomfortable being here... You know, I'm going to see Putin, I'm going to Russia on Friday. I don't like being here talking about how unsafe and how dirty and disgusting this once beautiful capital was - said Trump.

It is not clear whether Trump confused Alaska and Russia. Alaska was a Russian territory before the US bought it from Tsar Alexander II of Russia in the 19th century, but it became the 49th US state in 1959.

There will be a division of territories.

Putin was reportedly enthusiastic about the planned trip to Alaska.

Trump previously said talks with Putin would likely focus on what he called territorial exchanges between Kiev and Moscow, which would mean Kiev ceding territory to Moscow in exchange for giving up its claims to Ukrainian lands it does not fully control.

Kiev firmly rejected the plans.

If Trump had not simply expressed himself incorrectly and the visit to Russia would not have happened, it would have been Trump's first visit to that country as US president. Although Trump made business visits to Russia before entering politics, he has never visited Russia during either his first or current term.

(Kyiv Post)