Russia Accuses US of Betraying 'Spirit of Anchorage'

Russian Officials Express Disappointment

Three high-ranking Russian officials have in the last three days accused the United States of abandoning commitments made during the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska last year. The concept "Spirit of Anchorage" was used by Russian diplomacy and propaganda as a key pressure tool, denoting Moscow's belief that Trump supported Russia's main demand—transfer of the entire Donbas territory under Moscow's control in exchange for a temporary freezing of the front line. Although the US never officially confirmed such agreements, Russia actively exploited this phrasing to create an illusion of Washington's consent.

Now the Kremlin admits that the "Spirit of Anchorage" concept has finally failed. Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov stated that only Russia remained committed to the agreements, while the US could not fulfill its part. He emphasized that Moscow no longer expects these conditions to be met but seeks only its own "victory." Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov went further, calling the Alaska meeting an American "ploy" designed to buy time for rearming the Ukrainian army. His deputy Sergey Ryabkov also noted the US retreat from "fundamental agreements," though he said contacts with Washington would continue.

Ryabkov added that Washington's course is increasingly aligning with the staunchly anti-Russian policy pursued by the US's closest European allies, including Britain and France. Crisis Group analyst Oleg Ignatov noted that behind these offended statements lies deep Kremlin disappointment. Russia had hoped the US would act as a mediator and help end the war on favorable terms for Russia, but Trump's focus since February has shifted to confrontation with Iran.

Background: On August 15, 2025, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met at a military base in Anchorage, Alaska. The summit ended without any official statements on agreements or a ceasefire. But immediately after, the phrase "Spirit of Anchorage" appeared in Russian official discourse. In October 2025, Ryabkov said there was "no alternative to the Spirit of Anchorage" and that the meeting set the framework for further work. However, by early 2026, Russian rhetoric began to change. In March, Lavrov lamented that the friendly atmosphere of talks was fading and that the "Spirit of Anchorage was evaporating" due to the US position. On June 23, US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Dan Negri, stated that Washington supports Ukraine in defending its freedom and sovereignty and called on Russia to immediately return to negotiations and conclude a peace agreement, as time in this war is working against Moscow.