Kremlin sets condition for claimed ‘breakthrough’ in talks on ending war against Ukraine

“A breakthrough on Ukraine is possible only if the understandings reached at the negotiations in Anchorage are observed,” Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesperson claimed Russia does not want to publicly discuss details of the alleged agreements, arguing that talks on ending the war in Ukraine should be conducted behind closed doors.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he has no official information about any “agreements” reached in Anchorage but has assumptions about what may have been discussed. He said all details would eventually become known and added that the Ukrainian side has “signals that they discussed key issues there.”

On Jan. 22, Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, said that “without resolving the territorial issue under the formula agreed in Anchorage, there is no point in expecting a long-term settlement.”

Peskov has also said Moscow plans to discuss the so-called “Anchorage formula” with delegations during talks in the United Arab Emirates but declined to specify what positions it includes.

The second round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States ended on Feb. 5 in Abu Dhabi. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said the talks were “truly constructive” and thanked the United States and the UAE for their organization and mediation.

A communique issued after the meeting by Ukrainian delegation head Rustem Umerov said the sides discussed methods for implementing a ceasefire and monitoring a halt to hostilities.