Hundreds of people gathered in Anchorage on Thursday to protest President Donald Trump‘s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via an email sent outside regular business hours.
Why It Matters
The high-stakes meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage comes three-and-a-years into Russia’s war with Ukraine, which Trump had pledged to end on his first day back in office.
Critics have decried the exclusion of Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, but the president has suggested his meeting with Putin aims to pave the way for a second one including Zelensky.
Meanwhile, a new survey from the Pew Research Center found that 59 percent of Americans are not confident that Trump could make wise decisions about the Russia-Ukraine war.
What To Know
The protesters gathered at the intersection of Seward Highway and Northern Lights Boulevard on Thursday evening, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
Photos and videos show many carried Ukrainian flags. A video posted on X showed a group of protesters with a banner that said “Ukraine and Alaska—Russian never again!”
Other photos showed protesters brandishing a large Ukrainian flag that said “Alaska stands with Ukraine” and with placards saying “Zelensky should be here,” “Putin is a war criminal” and “Get out of Ukraine.”
The protest was organized by a coalition of progressive groups that are also planning a series of protests for Friday, the Daily News reported.
Meanwhile, the Alaska Republican Party is planning a rally in support of Trump on Friday.
What People Are Saying
Stephanie Shaffer, an Anchorage resident at Thursday’s protest, told The Associated Press of Trump and Putin: “I think they are both malignant narcissists who have only their best interests at heart. If they truly wanted to talk about what was going on in Ukraine and how to end the war, they would have included President Zelensky.”
Karan Gier, another Anchorage resident at the protest, told the AP: “I hope it will be a successful meeting and something can be resolved. However, I’m concerned that the Ukrainian representative is not here as well.”
Carmela Warfield, the chair of the Alaska Republican Party, wrote on X: “This is a historic event tomorrow here in Anchorage, Alaska! President @realDonaldTrump will be landing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to broker peace. Let’s all get down to the Midtown Mall tomorrow Friday the 15th starting at 11am to show our patriotic spirit and love for our state, country and for our President.”
Trump said on Fox News Radio’s The Brian Kilmeade Show on Thursday: “I’m convinced that he [Putin] is going to make a deal. He’s going to make a deal. I think he’s going to, and we’re going to find out. I’m going to know very quickly.”
He added: “We’re going to be calling President Zelensky, if it’s a good meeting—if it’s a bad meeting I’m not calling anybody, I’m going home.”
What’s Next
Trump will depart the White House early Friday and meet with Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson at 11 a.m. local time.
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