Russia says U.S. failed to honour Alaska summit understandings

Russia says U.S. failed to honour Alaska summit understandings
Reuters

Russia has accused the United States of failing to follow through on what Moscow describes as “understandings” reached between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during their Alaska summit last year, in a sign of mounting frustration in the Kremlin.

The criticism marks a notable shift in tone after months of Russian praise for Trump’s diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

In recent days, senior Russian officials including Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov have said Washington has not upheld the “fundamental understandings” reached during the August 2025 summit in Anchorage.

The Kremlin has repeatedly referenced the “spirit of Anchorage,” a phrase analysts say reflects Moscow’s belief that Trump was sympathetic to Russia’s demand for Ukraine to cede the Donbas region in exchange for freezing the conflict.

However, no formal agreement emerged from the summit, and Trump later said there was “no deal until there’s a deal.”

Ukraine strikes and G7 diplomacy

The Russian complaints come amid intensified Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia, including strikes on Moscow energy infrastructure, and after a G7 summit where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Western leaders to maintain pressure on Moscow.

Russian officials have dismissed claims that Ukraine is gaining the upper hand, while accusing Western governments of enabling Kyiv’s expanding strike capabilities.

Russia-U.S. engagement

Despite the sharper rhetoric, Moscow has indicated it wants dialogue with Washington to continue.

Analysts say Russia is increasingly concerned about pressure on its economy and military, and may be seeking to re-engage Trump diplomatically to secure a settlement more favourable to its interests.

Lavrov said on Monday that Russia remained ready to resume negotiations with Ukraine, but gave no indication Moscow had softened its territorial demands.

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