SHOTLIST

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 12, 2025) (ANADOLU-ACCESS ALL)

1. WALL WITH GRAFFITI READING "NO FASCISM"

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ROBERT ZIEGLER SAYING:

"Well, I think for one thing, America needs to stand up for worldwide courts that we need to back the world wide court if he comes to our shores, he should be arrested. He's wanted. You know, he's got a warrant out for his arrest for, you know, humane acts of, coming close to genocide. You know, going in and invading another country that is sovereign, that is wanting freedom just like any other country. And you're going to take away their freedom when we stand for freedom? And then you're going to have that guy come here, come to our shores. And no, no, he shouldn't even be coming here. If anything, he can go to Russia and talk to him in Russia or something like that. But don't, don't come to Alaska."

3. VEHICLES MOVING ON ROAD

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LISA BAGULEY SAYING:

"Honestly, I would have to say I'm a little flabbergasted that they're allowing a war criminal to come to the United States. I'm also a little bit astonished that they're excluding Volodymyr Zelenskyy from the summit to talk about ending the Russia-Ukraine War. So I'm not just really happy about the two of them meeting in Alaska on Friday."

5. WIDE SHOT OF PARK/ PEOPLE SITTING (TWO SHOTS)

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ELDERLY AMERICAN MAN SAYING:

"I think it's a good idea. Not only are they getting together to meet, which is a great thing, because there needs to be dialogue between the two. Both of them are strong personalities, but Alaska is an ideal place for them to meet at the moment. It's close. I mean, like Palin said, you can see it, you know? But, yeah, so, he can just hop over the pond, he's already here. There's plenty of Air Force bases. He's going to be fine. They'll keep an eye on him, and it'll be interesting for Alaska to get a little bit more exposure. Like, I think they are going to come to Anchorage, but in addition to just him being here, there'll be a lot of other dignitaries and other people, so it's interesting to see what happens at the Captain Cook and its our finest hotel. So, I'm just happy that the dialogue's opening up. And that they're going to be having it. And, again, I think Alaska doesn't get as much notoriety as it should have. We are right on the front line, so anywhere out there. And as we warm up in the world, yeah, it's going to be open to everything. So, I'm happy that it's happening here, as opposed to anywhere else in the United States. Where's it going to go? New York? California? No. I'm going to go to Alaska. It used to be Russian, anyway. So, I'm happy to see that there's forward progress."

7. VEHICLE MOVING ON ROAD, MAN RIDING BICYCLE

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED AMERICAN MAN SAYING:

"Well, in my personal opinion, I believe that it would be a first time that two individuals of great power and great influence decided to come together in a neutral place since they are very close and the closest, landmass wise, for Russia to Alaska or any of the 50 states. And because of what's been going on around the world and the craziness that everybody's been talking about and all, everybody's on edge for this and that, for them to get together and come to a place like this. To do this is to me kind of great because it will be something that will be talked about for years after regardless if it's something that's positive or negative that comes out of this scenario to what one side wanted or the other side, I still believe it'll be great.And hopefully it's more positive than negative on all of that. I'm glad they chose Alaska because a lot of other presidents from the U.S. really never chose too many places to come and do something here besides Obama who came up here to visit and check out that one time. But to come here and do something like this, please go back in history and tell me when was the last time two presidents of a major anyplace on this planet came together to try to talk about something. Now I haven't fully been paying attention to the news, but I'm pretty sure it's to reconcile some things, yes? But then yeah, then this is a great place to try that someplace new someplace no other two presidents have done. I think it's great." ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, UNITED STATES - AUGUST 12: The United States and Russia have agreed to hold a high-stakes meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on Friday, August 15, in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, the White House confirmed Tuesday, Aug. 12.


The summit, to be hosted at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska’s largest military installation, marks the first face-to-face talks between the two leaders since June 2021. The location, chosen for its proximity to Russia, has drawn mixed reactions from Alaskans.

The upcoming Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage has sparked intense debate among local residents, with opinions sharply divided on hosting the Russian leader. Anadolu Agency spoke with several Alaskans who expressed passionate views about the diplomatic meeting.

Robert Zeigler, an Anchorage-based graffiti artist, was unequivocal in his stance. "If Putin comes to our shores, he should be arrested immediately," Zeigler told Anadolu, referencing the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant. "He's wanted. You know, he's got a warrant out for his arrest for, you know, humane acts of, coming close to genocide. You know, going in and invading another country that is sovereign, that is wanting freedom just like any other country. And you're going to take away their freedom when we stand for freedom?”

Lisa Baguley echoed these concerns, calling the Russian president's visit deeply troubling. "would have to say I'm a little flabbergasted that they're allowing a war criminal to come to the United States,” Baguley said. “I'm also a little bit astonished that they're excluding Volodymyr Zelenskyy from the summit to talk about ending the Russia-Ukraine War.”

However, not all Alaskans shared these reservations. One resident who requested anonymity saw the summit as a positive development. They say this dialogue is desperately needed.

“Not only are they getting together to meet, which is a great thing, because there needs to be dialogue between the two. Both of them are strong personalities,” an elderly Anchorage resident said. “Alaska is an ideal place for them to meet at the moment.”
Another local emphasized the historical significance of the event.

He said the highly anticipated meeting is “kind of great because it will be something that will be talked about for years after regardless if it's something that's positive or negative that comes out of this scenario to what one side wanted or the other side, I still believe it'll be great.And hopefully it's more positive than negative on all of that.”

“I'm glad they chose Alaska because a lot of other presidents from the U.S. really never chose too many places to come and do something here besides Obama who came up here to visit and check out that one time. But to come here and do something like this, please go back in history and tell me when was the last time two presidents of a major anyplace on this planet came together to try to talk about something,” he added.

The summit marks the first visit by a Russian leader to Alaskan soil since the 1867 purchase, underscoring the state's unique geopolitical position. As tensions over Ukraine continue to dominate global affairs, Anchorage finds itself unexpectedly at the center of international diplomacy - a role that has clearly struck a nerve with its residents.

Writing by Sibel Uygun