As international headlines shift focus to Anchorage, Alaska prepares for a significant summit that stirs local sentiments and concerns. The joint meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has coincided with a surge of protests among locals, many of whom feel passionately connected to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Among the demonstrators is Hanna Correa, a Ukrainian expatriate, who stood with fellow Alaskans waving Ukrainian flags, expressing her emotional reaction to the gathering. "Putin is supposed to be in jail, and he just comes to Alaska like that," she laments, emphasizing that the exclusion of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from this vital conversation is disheartening. In her adopted hometown, she feels a sense of urgency for her nation's plight.
Also present at the protest was Christopher Kelliher, a 53-year-old Alaskan military veteran, who expressed his resentment towards the summit. "It's gross, it makes you want to take a shower," he says, reflecting the deep-seated frustrations many locals feel about Putin's presence in their state.
Historically, the region has a complex relationship with Russia, highlighted by the purchase of Alaska in 1867—a move once derided as ‘Seward's Folly.’ Today, however, the state’s natural resources have changed that perception significantly. The impact of the historic ties is palpable, with many communities holding prayer events, including at the St Tikhon Orthodox Church, where Priest Nicholas Cragle voiced hopes for resolution of the conflict.
While some are hopeful, others express a desire for Zelensky to join in on behalf of Ukraine, echoing the feelings of fisherman Don Cressley, who noted, “I wish Zelensky would be out here too... get this thing over with.” His concerns reflect a broader apprehension regarding the war’s devastation back in Ukraine.
Security issues remain top of mind for many Alaskans, as heightened military activity by Russia in the region adds to unease. "Although the Cold War is over between Russia and the US, they're constantly patrolling our airways," worries Russell Wilson, a local resident who fears for the implications of global tensions on their doorstep.
Contrarily, the perspective varies among residents, with some downplaying fears of invasion, like Kelliher, who quipped, “Not really, everybody in Alaska owns a gun,” highlighting the diverse views held within the community.
As the summit unfolds, the juxtaposition of local sentiments against the backdrop of major international politics will likely shape the conversations ahead, embodying both anxieties and hopes for future peace.
