US weighs deal to use Russian nuclear icebreakers for Alaska LNG projects: Report

The talks, held at a Cold War-era air force base, mark the first face-to-face between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House.

The United States has internally discussed using Russian nuclear-powered icebreakers to support gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) development in Alaska, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The idea is among the potential deals being considered for President Donald Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage on Friday.

Trump arrived in Alaska for what he called a “high stakes” meeting aimed at securing a Ukraine ceasefire and ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two. The talks, held at a Cold War-era air force base, mark the first face-to-face between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House.

The icebreaker proposal

According to one source, the White House has floated the icebreaker plan as a possible area of cooperation with Russia, which operates the world’s only fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers. These vessels maintain year-round shipping along the Northern Sea Route — a key artery for global energy and trade.

Such icebreakers could be used to transport LNG from Alaska’s remote northern fields to Asian markets, as well as deliver construction materials and equipment to sites where infrastructure is limited and weather conditions are severe.

The White House did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment, and Kremlin officials were unavailable.

Alaska’s LNG ambitions

Trump has promoted Alaska LNG, a proposed $44 billion project to ship LNG through an 800-mile pipeline from northern Alaska, as a way for Asian buyers to reduce reliance on Russian gas. Another project, Qilak LNG, targets 4 million tons per year for Asian markets.

Mead Treadwell, Qilak LNG’s founder, told Reuters it would not be unusual for a US LNG project to use icebreakers from any country approved by the US government, but said his project had not specifically requested Russian vessels. An industry source added that Alaska LNG had “no identified needs for Russian icebreakers.”

Reuters could not confirm which, if any, specific project might benefit from such a deal if agreed at the summit.

The reported icebreaker discussions highlight a broader White House approach of weaving potential business agreements into US-Russia talks over Ukraine. According to one source, this strategy will continue at the Alaska summit.