President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday without the presence of seasoned Russia experts or career diplomats. Since beginning his second term, Trump has replaced many career officials with loyalists and significantly reduced the federal workforce, leaving key foreign policy positions unfilled. This has resulted in a lack of knowledgeable advisors on Russia and Ukraine within his administration. Former diplomats and experts have expressed concern about the absence of experienced personnel during these critical talks, highlighting the potential risks to diplomatic preparedness and transparency.