«Putin is a war criminal»: Alaska rallies against Russian president's visit

A rally in support of Ukraine was held in Anchorage, Alaska, on the eve of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to Ostap Yarysh, a former journalist for «Voice of America», the rally participants held Ukrainian flags and posters with inscriptions in English: «Alaska supports Ukraine», «Russia, get out of Ukraine» and «Putin is a war criminal».

Organisers from Stand Up Alaska explain that they are opposed to having an international war criminal in their state. In their appeal, they said:

«The president invited Vladimir Putin. We are here to tell Trump and Putin: Alaska Against Tyranny», the organisers said in a statement.

More about the meeting between Trump and Putin

As a reminder, on 15 August, US President Donald Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the US state of Alaska.

The White House is also considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Alaska. Zelenskyy himself has said that a trilateral meeting between the leaders of the United States, Ukraine, and Russia is planned. The exact date has not yet been determined, but, according to CBS News, citing its own sources, it could take place as early as the end of next week.

Earlier, Donald Trump assured European leaders that during his meeting with Vladimir Putin on 15 August, he would not discuss the issue of Ukrainian territories and would insist on an unconditional ceasefire.

At the same time, The Telegraph reports that during the talks in Alaska, Trump may put forward proposals that include economic concessions to Russia. According to the newspaper, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is analysing possible compromises that could speed up the ceasefire agreement. Among them is granting Russia access to rare earth minerals in the occupied territories of Ukraine, where the two largest lithium deposits are located.

Another possible offer could be Russia's access to natural resources in the Bering Strait, which separates it from the US state of Alaska.