U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first summit in three years on the 15th (local time) in Alaska, where a confidential document from the U.S. Department of State containing the discussion details was found in a hotel public printer in Anchorage.
According to NPR and others on the 16th, the eight-page document found at the four-star hotel 'Captain Cook' included sensitive information such as the lunch menu and seating arrangement for the two leaders, as well as Trump's intended gift of a "U.S. bald eagle desk sculpture" for Putin.
The most eye-catching aspect was the lunch menu that did not come to fruition. The two leaders were scheduled to have a working lunch during the meeting, but it was canceled as the discussions extended longer than expected. This unfulfilled meal has now become a window into the diplomatic vision that both countries were hoping to achieve.
The menu that was supposed to be served that day was simply structured with three courses. This reflects Trump's unique style, which emphasizes practicality over formality. The appetizer was "salad with champagne vinaigrette," and the dessert was "creme brulee." The main dish was made up of a duet of two dishes on one plate: one was "filet mignon with brandy peppercorn sauce," and the other was "halibut Olympia."
Filet mignon is a premium cut of steak that comes in very small amounts from one cow. Traditionally symbolizing wealth and authority, it is a staple menu item for state dinners not only at the White House but in many countries. It is interpreted as a classical choice to showcase the power and national stature of the United States, which led the discussions. In contrast, halibut Olympia is a humble home-cooked dish made of halibut topped with mayonnaise and cracker crumbs. It has been recognized since appearing in Alaskan cookbooks in the late 1950s. This dish evokes a cozy and comfortable nostalgia for the local residents. Jeremy Pataki, editor of a local food magazine in Alaska, noted to The New York Times (NYT) that it was "a somewhat surprising choice for a top-tier state dinner menu."
Serving a premium steak alongside a humble home-cooked fish dish can accentuate a stark contrast. This reflects the traditional authority (filet mignon) while strategically disarming the counterpart with a simple and friendly gesture (halibut Olympia) in an attempt to initiate a 'transaction'.
Diplomatic experts particularly noted the choice of halibut. In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, a sum considered a steal. This place could evoke feelings of loss for Russians. However, it has become plausible to analyze that by serving halibut, commonly caught in the Bering Strait shared by the U.S. and Russia, a message of "harmony" rather than "conflict" was intended. It is inferred that the intention was to visually represent the concept of "peaceful coexistence based on power" by combining symbols of great power (filet mignon) and regional harmony (flatfish) on one plate. Pataki mentioned, "If you consider what is caught in the seas between Alaska and Russia, it undoubtedly includes halibut."
Meanwhile, after the summit, both leaders noted there had been "significant progress," but did not reach a specific ceasefire agreement. President Putin stated they had "reached an understanding," while President Trump expressed a contrasting view, saying, "There is no agreement until an agreement is made." According to AP and others, President Putin demanded that Ukraine relinquish all of Donetsk Oblast in exchange for stopping Russian attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit Washington on the 18th to discuss this issue. Ultimately, the "dinner of peace" did not take place, and the diplomatic intentions embedded in the dishes intended for the table remain incomplete.