As the world’s eyes turned to Alaska on August 15, 2025, the usually tranquil state found itself at the center of a geopolitical storm. In anticipation of a high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaskans—and activists far beyond—mobilized in protest, voicing solidarity with Ukraine and deep concern about the possible consequences of the meeting.
At least sixteen events, ranging from vigils and rallies to the dramatic unveiling of a massive Ukrainian flag in Anchorage, were scheduled across Alaska from August 14 through August 16, according to reporting by Alaska Beacon. These protests, stretching from Fairbanks to Kodiak to Ketchikan, aimed to send a clear message: Alaskans, and many others, stand firmly with Ukraine and against what they see as dangerous political maneuvering that could legitimize Russian aggression.
Nicole Collins, an organizer with Ketchikan Mayday for Democracy, explained the motivation behind Thursday evening’s vigil in her community. “First and foremost, our goal is to communicate solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, to let them know that we all watched in horror as Ukraine was invaded over three years ago now,” Collins told Alaska Beacon. “Even though we’re on this island in Southeast Alaska, we are members of the human race, and we’re all part of this world, and we want them to know that we see them and we stand with them.”
But the protests were not only about support for Ukraine. Many Alaskans expressed outrage at President Trump’s invitation to Putin, a figure widely condemned in the West for his role in the war. “Our secondary goal would be to show that we just have this utter disgust in a war criminal stepping foot on our precious Alaskan soil, our U.S. soil, and that we have great concerns over the fact that our president shows every sign of admiration towards this war criminal dictator that’s coming from Russia,” Collins said. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin relating to war crimes in Ukraine, a move that has sharply curtailed his ability to travel internationally.
The scale of the tragedy in Ukraine was not lost on the demonstrators. The United Nations estimates that over 6.9 million Ukrainians have been displaced since Russia’s invasion began in 2022, with more than 13,000 civilians killed. The toll on Russia has also been severe, with over a million Russians killed or injured. “This is far beyond left and right now, it’s about right and wrong,” Collins said. “And we feel like we have to speak out. We have to show our support for democracy and for decency, for honesty, for unity, not division.”
This summit marked the first time Trump and Putin have met in person since the war’s onset. The meeting, announced by Trump just a week earlier, came amid delicate negotiations over a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not invited to participate in the discussions, a decision that sparked further criticism and anxiety among Ukraine’s supporters.
Riza Smith, another organizer based in Anchorage and a former Air Force member at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, underscored the particular sensitivity Alaskans feel regarding Russian relations. “If Russia decides to, you know, escalate things against the U.S., we’re right nearby. If Russia decided, ‘Hey, we want this portion of land,’ or, ‘Hey, we want these resources,’ or something, we’re right nearby. So I think it impacts a lot of people a lot more strongly, especially for the military,” Smith told Alaska Beacon. The U.S. military presence in Alaska is robust, with regular exercises conducted to patrol airspace and maritime borders with Russia, including the ongoing Arctic Edge drills.
Smith also noted the sense of whiplash felt by many in Alaska. “For the past 20 years, we’ve been dealing with intercept flights. That’s affected our military for years. So it’s a little confusing, since about like 2015, when that kind of escalated, to see like a complete nonrecognition of them.”
Beyond Putin himself, many protestors expressed frustration with the Trump administration’s approach to both Russia and Alaska. “I think we’re fed up with corruption. We’re fed up with people trying to take something that isn’t theirs. And I think the prime example of that is Russia and Ukraine. … Vladimir Putin has overstepped his bounds repeatedly with Ukraine. Donald Trump has overstepped his bounds repeatedly with Alaska … making these different claims, like offering to sell resources, or whatever he wants to offer people,” Smith said. “I think people are just kind of done with people, you know, doing something without their input.”
While Alaskans gathered in protest, a wave of international concern was rising. On the same day as the summit, a public open letter was issued by a coalition of global civil society representatives, political refugees, democratic activists, and human rights advocates. The letter, signed by dozens of prominent figures from Europe, Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, warned that the Alaska meeting risked becoming a modern-day Munich 1938 or Yalta 1945—a deal that could sacrifice Ukraine’s sovereignty for short-term political expediency.
The letter’s authors cautioned against any agreement that would legitimize Russia’s illegal occupation of Ukrainian territories or redraw borders by force. They firmly opposed the easing or lifting of sanctions on Russia, or allowing Putin’s regime to return to international forums such as the G7 or global sporting and cultural events. “Any ‘deal’ built on unfair concessions to the aggressor will not bring lasting peace. It will only perpetuate impunity and set a dangerous precedent for the world, threatening our common global interests and security,” the letter declared.
The open letter also called for no agreement to be made without Ukraine’s direct participation and consent. It urged the global community to maintain and strengthen sanctions until there is a full cessation of Russian aggression, liberation of occupied territories, and the release of all political prisoners and Ukrainian captives. The signatories went a step further, proposing the creation of a European Democracy Shield to better protect democratic values and institutions, and called on countries like Brazil, India, China, Australia, and Canada to uphold international law and refuse to support any deal that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty.
As the summit unfolded behind closed doors, the message from Alaska’s streets and the world’s activists was unmistakable: peace cannot come at the cost of justice, and the fate of Ukraine cannot be decided without its voice at the table. The events in Alaska have become a rallying point for those determined to defend international law and resist the normalization of aggression—reminding leaders everywhere that the world is watching, and will not be silent in the face of injustice.
