Former Alaska Vice Governor declares pride in his Russian roots

Former Alaska Vice Governor Laurent Leman, who held this post from 2002 to 2006, said he was the ancestor of Russian settlers in Alaska, which he was very proud of. He told Izvestia about this on August 12.

According to Lehman, locals remember perfectly well that Alaska once belonged to the Russian Empire, which is why there is a "Russian influence" on language and customs in the region, including in the village of Ninilchik, where he grew up.

"In our family history, there is information about a marriage in 1798 between a Russian named Efim Rastorguev and a local Alutiq woman named Agrafena. I am their descendant. <...> I am proud of my Russian roots, but I am also proud of my descent from the indigenous peoples of Alaska," he said.

The former Lieutenant Governor of Alaska noted that he was also proud to be the first indigenous person to be elected to a national office.

According to Lehman, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump are meeting in a "strategically important place."

The signal is not lost: the Russian Federation and the United States are ready to continue the dialogue

​​​​​​​After Witkoff's trip to Moscow, Trump announced his intention to meet with Putin in person next week.

On the same day, in an interview with Izvestia, Lehman suggested that Adak Island, located in the Aleutian Archipelago, could become one of the potential meeting places for the Russian and American leaders. According to him, the city of Fairbanks, which is located in the central part of Alaska, may become a "backup option" for the planned negotiations.

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