Protesters gathered at a park in Anchorage on Friday in support of Ukraine, unfurling a large Ukrainian flag and chanting "Peace to Ukraine," as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held face-to-face talks.
The high-stakes summit in Alaska could determine the trajectory of the war in Ukraine and the fate of European security.
The summit gives Trump a chance to prove he is a master dealmaker and global peacemaker. For Putin, it’s an opportunity to negotiate a deal that would cement Russia’s gains. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders were not invited to participate in the talks.
The meeting could have far-reaching implications, with foreign governments watching closely.
"I don't think any solution without the Ukrainian's input is going to end the war in a just and fair way," said Peter Casey, a resident of Anchorage.
"I think that Trump and Putin want to make a deal for themselves that benefits them and doesn't bring a just end to the conflict," he added.
Many residents of Anchorage questioned Putin’s motives in these talks, arguing that he’s long displayed a pattern of only pursuing his interests. They also believe that a peace treaty, in the event that Trump is able to eventually broker a ceasefire, means very little.
“Putin doesn't want peace. He wants Ukraine and anything that doesn't push him away from Ukraine will not bring peace because he won't stop,” said Blake Severson.
“We've signed peace treaties, Chechnya signed a peace treaty, Georgia signed a peace treaty, Ukraine signed a Peace Treaty. And Russia has been invading them for 11 years.”
Severson added that a “a peace deal is not going to do anything to stop Putin”, instead asserting that the only real counter to Putin is “bloodying his nose and fighting back against his aggression”.
Many were also critical of Trump for inviting Putin for these talks in the United States, stressing that it was highly inappropriate to play host to a man wanted by the International Criminal Court.
“I wish they weren't here,” said Julie, “I think inviting a dictator and a war criminal to American soil is a little bit much.”
Julie noted that she believes Trump directly communicating with his Russian counterpart is a good initiative that may bridge the gap and inch Kyiv and Moscow closer towards peace.
She however remained cautious, noting that Trump has made many promises in the past which he’s yet to deliver on.
“I think Trump made a lot of promises during his campaign that he would end the war quickly, within 24 hours, if I recall. And he needs to show that he's doing something about it, and so he's got to do something,” added Julie.
The talks, which took place at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, lasted for around two-and-a-half hours. The two leaders said in a press conference following their private talks that the meeting was highly constructive.
Trump and Putin also stated that the Alaska Summit is a first step and that more direct talks are needed in the future to hopefully come to a peace agreement. Trump has expressed his desire for Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to participate in future rounds of talks.
It is not yet known when the next round of talks between the leaders could take place, but officials say it is likely to happen “soon”. The Russian leader suggested Moscow as the venue for the next meeting during a joint press conference with Trump following their meeting, to which Trump said “I can see it possibly happening”.
