Ukraine has announced the end of the “spirit of Anchorage” following Russia’s acknowledgment of facing fuel shortages. The term had symbolized a supposed new era of cooperation between Russia and the US after a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska last year.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Moscow’s assertions of secret agreements with the US during the August 2025 meeting, stating that any such hopes have now been shattered. He dismissed Russia’s claims of informal deals between Trump and Putin, emphasizing that no such agreements were reached in Anchorage.
Sybiha’s remarks came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio contradicted Putin’s version of events by confirming that no deals were made in Anchorage. He stressed that any peace initiative excluding Ukraine would not succeed.
Highlighting the significance of Ukraine’s involvement in peace talks, Sybiha stated that any peace plan developed without Ukraine would ultimately fail. He urged Russia to abandon its reliance on illusions and engage in meaningful peace negotiations, cautioning that its position in the conflict is deteriorating.
Meanwhile, Putin acknowledged Russia’s fuel shortages for the first time and pledged to enhance protection of oil facilities and increase fuel production. In response, Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian military and energy installations, with recent strikes causing a major oil refinery in the south to catch fire.
The objective is to diminish Moscow’s revenue from the ongoing invasion and make Russians feel the repercussions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the success of their targeted oil refinery strikes in Russia, emphasizing the impact on diminishing resources supporting the Russian war efforts.
The campaign has significantly reduced Russian fuel supplies, leading to widespread shortages and fuel rationing in various regions. Western analysts note that the continuous strikes have also hindered Russia’s military operations, adding pressure on Moscow to engage in negotiations for resolution.
