US and Russia Clash Over Alaska Summit Peace Deal

The United States and Russia are locked in a diplomatic dispute over the outcome of an August 2025 summit in Anchorage, Alaska, between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserts that Russia accepted U.S. proposals point-by-point, creating a framework to end the war in Ukraine. However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has rejected these claims, stating that while proposals were discussed, no binding agreement was ever reached, arguing that the war would have ended if such a deal existed.

Lavrov further stated that Russia will not agree to a ceasefire as a prerequisite for peace talks, citing past deceptions in Istanbul. He demands sensible proposals and the respect of Russian national interests, including the surrender of the Donetsk region. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that the U.S. is not a neutral mediator due to its military support for Kyiv, but expressed appreciation for the efforts of envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Russia indicates that further negotiations on Ukraine are likely stalled until Witkoff and Kushner conclude their current work on a peace deal with Iran. Moscow continues to call for clarity on the U.S. position following a G7 summit in France, while President Putin has dismissed direct face-to-face meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as pointless.