Kremlin pressures Trump over Ukraine talks, ISW report says
Photo: US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
The Kremlin is attempting to force US President Donald Trump to withdraw from the negotiation process with Ukraine and Europe and to make concessions to Russia's demands, which were presented during the US–Russia summit in Alaska in August 2025, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Russia's position
Following Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s meeting with the US delegation on January 22–23, his aide Yuri Ushakov stated that there is allegedly "no hope" for a long-term resolution of the war without addressing the territorial issue.
According to him, this should be done under a so-called "formula," which, the Kremlin claims, was agreed upon between the US and Russia in Alaska.
At the same time, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow considers it "unnecessary" to publicly disclose details of the so-called "Anchorage formula," but emphasized that the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from all of Donbas is a key condition for a peaceful settlement.
Trump actively negotiating
ISW analysts note that recently, Trump has actively held talks with Ukraine and European partners. They assess that these contacts have significantly advanced the conditions for establishing a fair and sustainable peace in Ukraine.
Additionally, the US administration, together with Ukraine and Europe, revised the initial American peace plan, reducing it from 28 to 20 points. According to ISW, this demonstrates Washington’s willingness to cooperate with allies rather than pursue unilateral agreements with Russia.
Kremlin attempts to manipulate
The report also highlights that the Kremlin is attempting to manipulate the lack of public agreements reached at the Alaska summit. Russia is presenting alleged US–Russia agreements in a way favorable to itself, to conceal its own role in obstructing the negotiation process.
"The Kremlin has been using the ambiguity around the summit to try to conceal the way Russia — not Ukraine — has been impeding the negotiations process by maintaining its original war demands," ISW analysts concluded.
Negotiations in Abu Dhabi
On January 23, negotiations began in Abu Dhabi with delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the key topic at the Abu Dhabi talks would be the territorial issue, particularly the situation in Donbas.
Ahead of the meeting, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Ukrainian forces must leave Donbas, describing this as one of Russia’s main demands.
Zelenskyy also held consultations with members of the Ukrainian delegation before the talks. After the first day, Rustem Umerov shared details of the negotiations in Abu Dhabi.
For full coverage of the first trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the US, and Russia, as well as the events leading up to it, see the RBC-Ukraine report.
