• Russia maintains implementing the Anchorage Formula framework is essential for resolving the Ukraine crisis, according to Kremlin statements.
  • Trilateral talks involving US, Ukrainian, and Russian delegations took place in Abu Dhabi on January 24, with President Zelensky characterizing discussions as constructive.
  • The specific details of the Anchorage Formula remain publicly undisclosed, creating ambiguity that Kremlin officials have exploited in negotiations.

Russia has reiterated that implementing the "Anchorage Formula"—a framework allegedly agreed between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during their August 2025 Alaska summit—is essential for resolving the ongoing Ukraine crisis. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that "the key task now is to implement the formula for resolving the territorial issue on Ukraine that was agreed at the summit in Anchorage," characterizing the peace process as a lengthy undertaking rather than a quick resolution.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Russia's primary objective centers on territorial resolution according to the Anchorage Formula. This includes Ukraine relinquishing all of Donbas to Russia and freezing current frontlines elsewhere in southern and eastern Ukraine. Beyond territory, Russia demands Ukraine's non-aligned, neutral, and non-nuclear status; language and religious rights for Russian speakers; and rejection of what Moscow calls "neo-Nazi ideology."

US, Ukrainian, and Russian delegations held trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on January 24, 2026. President Zelensky characterized these discussions as constructive, noting they covered parameters for ending the war, US involvement, and necessary security guarantees. Zelensky indicated Ukraine is prepared for additional rounds of talks, though efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement have hit repeated snags.

Separately, the United States and European nations are finalizing security and economic guarantees with Ukraine to deter future Russian aggression and support reconstruction. According to people familiar with the negotiations, the US security guarantee document was reportedly "100 percent ready" as of January 25, though details remain confidential.

Critically, the specific details of the "Anchorage Formula" remain publicly undisclosed, creating significant ambiguity that has complicated negotiations. Kremlin officials have exploited this lack of clarity to misrepresent Ukraine as the uncooperative party in negotiations, according to analysts. The Institute for the Study of War notes that Kremlin representatives have asserted the Alaska summit resulted in a joint understanding to conclude the war, despite the absence of any public joint agreements or statements.

Ukraine suspended Istanbul talks in November 2025, citing "lack of tangible progress," which Russia dismissed as a "contrived" explanation. Russia claims Ukraine has failed to respond to proposals concerning ceasefire monitoring since July 2025, though Ukrainian officials dispute this characterization.

These negotiations occur within the broader context of Trump's presidency since January 2025, during which the Kremlin has sought to leverage improved US-Russia relations. Russia has simultaneously revived rhetoric around nuclear arms control, specifically the New START treaty, to extract concessions regarding Ukraine in exchange for normalizing relations, according to diplomatic sources.

Without a deal, analysts warn the conflict could enter a new phase of escalation, though both sides continue to express willingness to negotiate. The coming weeks are seen as critical for determining whether the Anchorage Formula can serve as a viable framework or whether new approaches will be necessary to break the diplomatic deadlock.