‘A camp, you could call it’ Russian journalists covering Trump–Putin summit bunk in sports arena amid Anchorage hotel shortage
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, coincides with the height of the state’s tourist season — and because it was announced only a week in advance, hotel rooms are scarce. That’s created a headache for the influx of journalists planning to cover the summit, including at least 52 from Russia’s state media. Here’s how the city has dealt with the lodging shortage.
To accommodate the crowd of journalists in Anchorage who came to cover the Putin–Trump summit, U.S. organizers have set up temporary sleeping quarters inside the Alaska Airlines Center, a sports and concert arena in Anchorage. On the eve of the meeting, Russian reporters posted photos of the spartan arrangements online.
“Twin rooms at the sports arena in Anchorage for Russian journalists — exceeds all expectations!” journalist Andrey Kolesnikov wrote alongside a photo of his cot.
In a video posted on Instagram by an Anapa-based news account, one journalist describes the sleeping arrangements as a “camp,” saying, “You’re lucky if you manage to find a spot.”
The lodging situation isn’t the only challenge for the Russian press. According to multiple Russian Telegram channels, Russian SIM cards barely function in Alaska due to sanctions, forcing journalists to rely on Wi-Fi. But earlier this week, Russian authorities blocked the voice calling feature on WhatsApp and Telegram, the country’s most popular messaging apps, which only work over the Internet.
Meanwhile, members of the official U.S. and Russian delegations will reportedly be housed in dorms at the University of Alaska Anchorage. University vice chancellor Ryan Buchholdt told the Anchorage Daily News that there could be up to 750 delegates staying on campus.
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