Ukraine has declared the end of what Russia termed the “spirit of Anchorage” due to Russia’s admission of facing fuel shortages. The phrase denoted a supposed new era of collaboration between Russia and the US following a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska last year.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Moscow’s assertions of reaching undisclosed agreements with the US during the August 2025 summit, stating that such expectations have now been shattered. Sybiha dismissed Russia’s claims of informal deals between Trump and Putin, emphasizing that the alleged “Spirit of Anchorage” is now defunct.
His remarks came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio contradicted Putin’s narrative by confirming that no agreements were reached in Anchorage. Sybiha emphasized that any peace initiatives excluding Ukraine would be unsuccessful.
Sybiha highlighted the futility of devising peace plans without Ukraine, urging Russia to engage in sincere peace negotiations rather than believing in illusions. He cautioned that Russia’s position in the conflict is deteriorating.
Meanwhile, Putin acknowledged a fuel deficit in Russia for the first time, pledging to enhance security at oil facilities and increase fuel production. In response, Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian military and energy sites, including a recent strike that caused a significant oil refinery in the south to catch fire.
Ukraine’s objective is to diminish Moscow’s revenue from its ongoing invasion and make Russians experience the repercussions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy affirmed that the strikes on Russian oil refineries are diminishing the resources fueling the Russian war effort and advancing towards peace.
The continuous attacks have severely impacted Russian fuel supplies, leading to widespread shortages and fuel rationing in various regions. Analysts from the West suggest that these strikes have hampered Russia’s military operations, increasing pressure on Moscow to engage in negotiations.
