Moscow Says Peace Negotiations Have Stalled Despite August Summit Optimism
Kremlin Blames European Countries As Drone Attacks Continue And NATO Airspace Violations Occur
Ryabkov: “Powerful Momentum Generated By Anchorage” Now “All But Unravelled”
MOSCOW — Russia appears resigned to the collapse of recent peace efforts for its war in Ukraine, with a senior official acknowledging Wednesday that whatever progress emerged from President Donald Trump’s August summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska has essentially evaporated.
Speaking to Russia’s federal assembly, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said: “Unfortunately, we must admit that the powerful momentum generated by Anchorage in favour of agreements has largely been undermined.”
The assessment confirms what Ukrainian officials have been stating for months: despite intensive diplomatic efforts led by the Trump administration, substantive progress toward ending the conflict remains elusive.
AUGUST SUMMIT CONTEXT: High Expectations, Limited Results
The August 15 meeting between Trump and Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska represented a significant diplomatic engagement.
The summit was described by the BBC as “unprecedented in modern times” given the number of world leaders subsequently involved in related discussions at the White House.
Initial reactions expressed cautious optimism that the direct Trump-Putin meeting might produce meaningful progress toward a ceasefire or peace agreement.
European leaders issued a joint statement at the time emphasizing: “We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.”
However, they also stressed that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.”
RUSSIAN ATTRIBUTION: Blaming European Involvement
Ryabkov attributed the stalling of peace momentum primarily to European countries.
“The powerful momentum generated by Anchorage in favour of agreements has been largely exhausted due to the efforts of opponents… primarily Europeans,” the deputy foreign minister stated.
This characterization aligns with longstanding Russian criticism of European involvement in Ukraine peace negotiations.
European nations have generally aligned more closely with Ukrainian negotiating positions, particularly regarding:
- Territorial integrity principles
- Security guarantees for Ukraine
- Potential peacekeeping force deployments
- Sanctions maintenance until withdrawal of forces
Russia has consistently opposed proposals involving NATO member troops in Ukraine, viewing such arrangements as unacceptable security threats.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PERSPECTIVE: Growing Frustration
President Trump has expressed increasing frustration with the pace and outcome of peace efforts.
Trump initially suggested that reaching a ceasefire agreement could happen rapidly, but the administration’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, subsequently indicated in January 2025 that the goal was brokering an agreement within 100 days in office (by April 29, 2025).
That deadline passed without a peace agreement.
Trump has said Putin has “surprised a lot of people,” noting: “He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening.”
The President recently indicated he is “very disappointed” with Putin, according to multiple reports.
In what represents a significant policy shift, Trump last week endorsed weapons sales to Ukraine, with the caveat that European NATO allies would purchase and provide the weapons.
Trump also threatened additional “severe” economic penalties on Russia if Moscow didn’t agree to some form of peace deal within a specified timeframe, though State Department officials suggested implementation depended on how peace efforts unfold.
ONGOING MILITARY OPERATIONS: Intensive Attacks Continue
While Russian diplomats expressed disappointment about stalled negotiations, Russian military operations against Ukraine continue with significant intensity.
Russia fired at least 183 drones at Ukrainian territory between late Tuesday and early Wednesday, the Ukrainian air force reported.
Targets included:
- Rail and energy infrastructure
- Thermal power plants (one seriously damaged, according to Ukrainian electricity provider DTEK)
- Civilian areas in Kherson (two elderly people killed, local officials reported)
Russia’s Ministry of Defence said it had intercepted 53 Ukrainian drones overnight, most over Belgorod region, a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks.
NATO AIRSPACE INCIDENTS: Border Violations Raise Concerns
Ryabkov’s comments came shortly after a series of Russian drones entered NATO airspace in Romania and Poland.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the Alliance will “further strengthen our posture along our eastern flank” following these incursions.
The violations raised security concerns among NATO members, with some officials speculating about Russia’s intentions regarding potential conflict expansion beyond Ukraine.
UKRAINIAN POSITION: Sanctions As Negotiating Leverage
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently maintained that only increased economic pressure will compel Russia to engage in serious negotiations.
“Everything should be done to take money away from Russia’s war machine,” Zelenskyy said Friday, thanking the United Kingdom for a new sanctions package targeting Moscow’s shadow fleet of oil tankers and military supply chains.
Japan also imposed further sanctions on Russian companies Friday and joined countries implementing a price cap on Russian oil.
“This is the only way to stop Russia and end this war,” Zelenskyy stated.
The Ukrainian position emphasizes that without substantial economic consequences, Russia has insufficient incentive to compromise on core territorial and sovereignty issues.
NEGOTIATION HISTORY: Multiple Rounds, Limited Progress
Several rounds of direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials have occurred in 2025:
- May 15-16: First direct talks in three years, held in Istanbul
- June 2: Second round where both sides presented memorandums outlining peace proposals
- July: Additional rounds producing prisoner exchange agreements but no ceasefire
None of these negotiating sessions achieved breakthroughs toward ending military operations.
Russian negotiating positions have reportedly become more demanding over time, with officials seeking greater territorial concessions and more stringent limitations on Ukrainian sovereignty and military capabilities than in earlier 2022 negotiations.
CORE DISAGREEMENTS: Incompatible Negotiating Positions
Fundamental disagreements remain on key issues:
Russian positions reportedly include:
- Recognition of control over Crimea and currently occupied territories
- Ukrainian commitment never to join NATO
- Limitations on Ukrainian military size and capabilities
- Complete removal of Western economic sanctions
- Establishment of buffer zones in additional Ukrainian provinces
Ukrainian and European positions emphasize:
- Restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders
- Robust security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression
- Accountability for war crimes committed during the conflict
- Return of prisoners of war and displaced persons
The Trump administration presented comprehensive proposals in April 2025 attempting to bridge these positions, but neither Ukraine nor Russia found the terms acceptable.
TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENTS: Russian Military Gains
Russian President Putin has stated that Russian forces captured 5,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in 2025.
Continued Russian military advances, despite significant casualties, appear to reinforce Moscow’s calculation that time favors its negotiating position and that territorial gains provide increased leverage.
However, military analysts note that Ukrainian defensive adaptations have made continued Russian advances increasingly costly in terms of personnel and equipment losses.
EUROPEAN SECURITY PROPOSALS: Competing Post-Conflict Visions
European leaders have advocated for robust security guarantees for Ukraine comparable to NATO Article 5 collective defense commitments.
An August 18 White House meeting convened leaders from the United Kingdom, Finland, France, Italy, Germany, NATO, the European Union, and Ukraine to discuss potential post-conflict security arrangements.
President Trump indicated at that meeting that European nations were “willing to put people on the ground” to guarantee Ukrainian security, while the United States would provide support “probably by air.”
Russia has categorically rejected any proposals involving foreign military presence in Ukraine, characterizing such arrangements as de facto NATO expansion regardless of formal membership status.
DIPLOMATIC OUTLOOK: Limited Near-Term Prospects
Ryabkov’s acknowledgment that peace talk momentum has been “undermined” suggests Russian officials do not anticipate significant diplomatic breakthrough in the near term.
The statement came the same day Russian officials issued warnings about “severe consequences” if the United States provides long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, a possibility President Trump recently raised publicly.
With fundamental negotiating positions remaining incompatible, military operations continuing at high intensity, and both sides blaming the other for diplomatic failures, prospects for a near-term peace agreement appear limited.
The international community continues efforts to facilitate dialogue, but the gap between Russian demands and Ukrainian red lines shows no signs of narrowing.
