**Alaska Residents Plan Protest Ahead of Trump-Putin Meeting**
As the world waits with bated breath for the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, a group of residents is planning to stage a protest against what they call “tyranny.” Stand Up Alaska, a non-governmental organization (NGO), has announced plans to hold a rally on August 14 in Anchorage, the state’s largest city.
The protest is aimed at showing solidarity with Ukraine and opposing what the NGO calls an “international war criminal” – a reference to Putin. The rally will take place just a day before Trump and Putin are set to meet at the former’s invitation. This meeting marks their first face-to-face talks since Trump began his second term as President.
**Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy Supports Summit**
Despite the planned protest, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has expressed enthusiasm for hosting the summit between Trump and Putin. In a statement on social media platform X, he hailed the event as “historic” and highlighted Alaska’s strategic location at the crossroads of North America and Asia.
With Russia just two miles away from Alaska, Dunleavy emphasized that no other place plays a more vital role in national defense, energy security, and Arctic leadership. However, this enthusiasm has not been shared by everyone, with Stand Up Alaska planning to demonstrate against what they see as Trump’s willingness to engage with a leader accused of war crimes.
**Ukraine and Russia’s Conditions for Peace Talks**
The situation on the ground in Ukraine remains tense, with ongoing fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists. The Kremlin has reportedly proposed “land swaps” as part of negotiations with Ukraine and its European partners. However, this idea has been met with skepticism by Zelensky, who has rejected formally ceding territory to Russia.
In turn, Putin has demanded a ban on Ukraine’s NATO membership and full withdrawal from occupied territories in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts as preconditions for peace talks. The conflict has already claimed thousands of lives, with many more displaced or affected by the fighting.
**What to Expect Next?**
Ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting, Zelensky is expected to hold talks with European leaders on August 13. This will likely be an opportunity for Kyiv and its allies to reiterate their demands for a ceasefire and meaningful negotiations towards resolving the conflict in Ukraine. As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear what the ultimate outcome of these talks may be.
For now, one thing is certain – Alaska residents are planning to have their voices heard ahead of the summit, as Stand Up Alaska prepares to protest against what they see as tyranny and a disregard for human rights in Ukraine.
