Beirut: Russia on Monday called on the US to clarify the situation regarding 'agreements' reached between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during their summit in Alaska before putting forward any new Ukraine peace proposals. At a press briefing in the town of Rzhev in Russia's Tver region, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's remarks on proposals made at the Alaska summit in August last year having failed.
According to Anadolu Agency, Zakharova questioned the implementation of the so-called Anchorage Formula, which she believes could have led to peace. She emphasized the need for clarification from the US State Department, particularly on how quickly the matter was addressed. Zakharova reiterated Russia's readiness for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict, based on mutual understandings reached in Alaska. She expressed Moscow's openness to discussions and proposals on the issue, stressing the need to clarify past agreements before moving forward with new ideas.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, had commented on the Alaska proposals, stating that they have failed. Rubio noted that peace could not be achieved unless both sides agreed, pointing out that the Ukrainians did not accept the proposals. He emphasized the need for new suggestions and ideas, expressing the US's readiness to offer them in the appropriate setting if conditions allow.
Russian officials have accused the US of drifting away from 'understandings' reached during the Anchorage summit. The summit resulted in a 28-point peace plan, later revised to 20 points, which Ukraine rejected due to its refusal of territorial concessions. This lack of agreement has stalled further progress.
Zakharova also addressed other foreign policy issues, warning of market destabilization due to efforts to undermine Russia's energy cooperation amid tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. She highlighted the potential global economic impacts, including trade fragmentation, inflation, and declining prosperity, particularly affecting the poorest countries dependent on imported energy and food.
In response to the EU's 21st sanctions package, Zakharova announced that Russia would soon reveal retaliatory measures. She also noted deteriorating relations with the UK due to 'anti-Russian measures' and expressed concerns over Japan's statements on nuclear weapons. Zakharova warned that Tokyo's potential inclusion of a nuclear component in its remilitarization process poses new challenges to Russia's security and regional stability in the Far East.