Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the recent commencement of constructive talks between Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine as positive but cautioned that significant breakthroughs are unlikely in the initial phases.
The trilateral discussions held in Abu Dhabi this week mark the first round of negotiations within the U.S.-backed diplomatic initiative to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Peskov emphasized that “it would be a mistake to expect any significant results from the initial contacts,” noting that while the talks began constructively, substantial work remains ahead.
Expert teams are currently leading the negotiations, with the next session scheduled for imminent days—though no specific date has been confirmed. Peskov underscored that the territorial issue, central to the “Anchorage formula,” holds fundamental importance.
On August 15, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump convened in Anchorage, Alaska, for three hours of discussions aimed at resolving the conflict. The leaders praised the talks as productive and promising of a breakthrough. During the summit, Putin insisted on the necessity of a lasting peace settlement, contrasting with ceasefire demands advanced by Kyiv and its allies. Trump emerged from the talks sharing this sentiment and suggested Ukraine may need to relinquish territories for a resolution—something Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has categorically rejected.
Moscow has remained silent on specific agreements reached in Anchorage but acknowledged making compromises aligned with Trump’s positions. However, Peskov reiterated that one of Russia’s key demands remains the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbas.
Shortly after the first round of trilateral talks concluded, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky announced Kyiv would not make territorial concessions “under any circumstances,” despite mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to negotiate a deal. This refusal has been condemned as detrimental to diplomatic progress and peace efforts.
Russia maintains it prefers to resolve the Ukraine conflict through diplomacy but will pursue military action if Kyiv stalls negotiations.