 "The decision to meet in Budapest, Hungary, came two months after the American and Russian leaders had met in Alaska. File image/Reuters")
Amid tensions between Washington and Moscow following the cancellation of the Hungary summit, a senior Kremlin aide said on Sunday that the outcomes of the Alaska summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump had been communicated to Kiev, and that Moscow continues to maintain contacts with Washington on the Ukraine issue.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told state-run TASS that Russia is actively engaging with the US to seek a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis based on the understandings reached during the Alaska summit in Anchorage on August 15. While no deal to end the conflict was reached at the summit, Ushakov said the framework remains a key reference point.
“We are actively discussing a Ukrainian settlement based on the understandings reached in Anchorage. We believe this is a truly good path to achieving a peaceful settlement,” Ushakov said during an interview with State TV in Moscow.
“The Anchorage understanding was brought to the notice of the Kiev side. Kiev is aware of that,” he added.
Ushakov acknowledged that the proposals were not universally welcomed. “They do not like it. Many Europeans, but not all of them, do not like Anchorage,” he said. “In other words, Anchorage is not favored by those who do not want a peaceful settlement but want to fight to the last Ukrainian,” the presidential aide stressed.
He also noted that the United States has not officially declared the agreements reached in Anchorage invalid. “There were many comments, and naturally, these comments arise as the situation develops, as various negotiations take place, including with the Europeans and the Ukrainians. There are many signals, some we like, some we don’t like, but the basis for everything is Anchorage,” Ushakov said.
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View AllEfforts to arrange a follow-up summit between Putin and Trump have so far been unsuccessful. Earlier reports, believed to have leaked in Western media, suggested that Trump had agreed to recognise Crimea as part of Russia, with Ukraine withdrawing from the Donbas region controlled by Russian forces.
Later, after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Trump stated that Ukraine was capable of reclaiming all lost territories, including Crimea, with the support of the EU.
Bhanu Pratap is DU graduate in Journalism and a daily newspapers reader. His domain of interest in journalism is foreign affairs, the ever-evolving political landscape of the country, and elections. Although he initially pursued science with aspirations of becoming an engineer under societal pressure, fate had other plans taking him toward the world of news. When he’s not shaping headlines in the newsroom, Bhanu enjoys spending time in libraries. His love for history takes him to historical places and heritage walks. Folk music is another of his interests. Reviews and suggestions are always welcome at Bhanu.Pratap@nw18.com.