Russia Sees US Efforts to Ensure Ukraine Agrees to Anchorage Understandings

Lavrov says Russia is aware of US contacts with Ukraine to get them to agree to deals made between Putin and Trump in Alaska

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:37am

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that despite a pause in negotiations, Russia sees the United States making efforts to ensure that Ukraine agrees to the understandings reached between Presidents Putin and Trump during their meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. Lavrov criticized the European Union and NATO leadership for trying to undermine these understandings and prolong the conflict.

Why it matters

The Anchorage meeting between the Russian and US presidents was seen as a potential breakthrough in resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Lavrov's comments suggest Russia is still hopeful the US can get Ukraine to agree to the deals made, even as negotiations have stalled.

The details

Lavrov said the understandings reached in Anchorage were "clear, concrete" and that the Americans are aware of them. However, he accused the European Union and NATO leadership of trying to "undermine these understandings" and "bring down the American administration from the agreements" that Russia supported. Lavrov stated that the prolongation of the conflict is "crucially explained by this subversive policy" of the EU and NATO.

  • The Anchorage meeting between Presidents Putin and Trump took place prior to the conflict escalation.
  • Several more rounds of negotiations occurred after the Anchorage meeting, with the last one right before the US and Israel attack on Iran.

The players

Sergey Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister, commenting on the status of negotiations and understandings reached between Russia and the US regarding the Ukraine conflict.

Vladimir Putin

The President of Russia, who met with US President Trump in Anchorage, Alaska to reach understandings on the Ukraine conflict.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who met with Russian President Putin in Anchorage, Alaska to reach understandings on the Ukraine conflict.

Ursula von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission, who Lavrov accused of trying to undermine the Anchorage understandings.

Mark Rutte

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, who Lavrov accused of trying to undermine the Anchorage understandings.

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What they’re saying

“Now they are talking about the spirit of Anchorage. His spirit is always normal in the relationship between Presidents Putin and Trump. They respect each other, they don't always agree on everything, but they know how to talk – as men and major politicians should, honestly, without hiding their problems, without hiding their differences. It was a good spirit.”

— Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister

“But it's not about the spirit, it's about the fact that understandings have been reached, clear, concrete understandings. The Americans know about this. And all subsequent negotiations after Anchorage were hampered by the fact that the European Union and the leadership of NATO, first of all, Mrs. Ursula, Mr. Rutte, tried in every possible way to undermine these understandings, tried in every possible way to bring down the American administration from the agreements that we supported at its suggestion.”

— Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister

What’s next

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The takeaway

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