Russia has made clear that peace negotiations cannot proceed without Ukraine surrendering control of the Donbas region, according to statements from the Kremlin following more than three hours of talks with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow.
The hardline position, articulated by Yuri Ushakov, a senior aide to President Vladimir Putin, represents Moscow's opening negotiating stance as the Trump administration attempts to broker what the president has called "the deal of the century."
"Without resolving the territorial issue according to the formula agreed upon in Anchorage, there is no point in expecting a long-term settlement," Ushakov told reporters following Wednesday's meeting at the Kremlin.
The reference to "Anchorage" points to an August 2025 meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, details of which remain classified but which apparently established parameters for territorial discussions. According to Kremlin statements, Russia demands full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, though Moscow might accept frozen contact lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
To understand today's headlines, we must look at yesterday's decisions. This negotiating position mirrors demands Russia made in March 2022, during abortive peace talks in , which collapsed after evidence emerged of Russian atrocities in . Then, as now, insisted on territorial concessions as preconditions rather than subjects for negotiation.
