Ukraine has officially declared the end of what was known as the “spirit of Anchorage” following Russia’s acknowledgment of fuel shortages. The term had been used by Russia to describe a new phase of cooperation with the US following a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska last year.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Moscow’s claims of undisclosed agreements with the US during the August 2025 summit, stating that any hopes associated with those claims have now been shattered. He emphasized that if there was ever a notion of the ‘Spirit of Anchorage,’ it no longer exists.

Sybiha’s remarks came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio refuted Putin’s version of events by stating that no agreements were made in Anchorage. Sybiha insisted that any peace agreements excluding Ukraine would not succeed.

He highlighted that Russia should abandon its belief in such notions and engage in meaningful peace discussions, cautioning that its position in the conflict is deteriorating. Meanwhile, Putin acknowledged a fuel deficit in Russia and vowed to enhance security at oil facilities and increase fuel production.

In response, Ukraine has escalated its drone attacks on Russian military and energy targets, resulting in a significant oil refinery fire in the south. The country aims to disrupt Moscow’s revenue from the ongoing invasion and make Russians bear the repercussions.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that their targeted strikes on Russian oil refineries are diminishing the resources fueling Russia’s military operations, bringing them closer to peace. The campaign has severely impacted Russian fuel supplies, causing shortages and fuel rationing in various regions.

Analysts suggest that these strikes have impeded Russia’s military efforts and intensified pressure on Moscow to engage in negotiations.