Ukraine says 'Spirit of Anchorage' is dead as Putin forced to admit fuel shortages

Ukraine says 'Spirit of Anchorage' is dead as Putin forced to admit fuel shortages Ukraine has hit out at Moscow's claims that it had reached secret 'understandings' with the US during last year's Alaska summit, saying those hopes have been shattered Ukraine has declared the so-called "spirit of Anchorage" dead as Russia was forced to admit it is struggling with fuel shortages. The phrase referred to what Russia claimed was a new era of cooperation with the US after Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met in Alaska last year. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha hit out at Moscow's claims that it had reached secret "understandings" with the US during the August 2025 meeting, saying those hopes have been shattered. "The reality makes one thing clear: if the 'Spirit of Anchorage' even existed, it is certainly dead now," Sybiha said, mocking Russia's repeated claims that Trump and Putin had struck informal agreements. His comments came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said no deals had been made in Anchorage, directly contradicting Putin's version of events. Sybiha said any peace plan made without Ukraine would fail. "For Russia, the lesson of Anchorage is that any peace plan developed without Ukraine is doomed to become a spirit and disappear," he said. He added that Russia should stop "believing in spirits" and instead hold serious peace talks, warning its position in the war is only getting worse. It comes as Putin acknowledged for the first time on Sunday that Russia was facing a "certain deficit" of fuel and vowed to strengthen protection of oil facilities and boost fuel output. This is a Breaking News story. You’ll be more likely to see our stories when any big news breaks in future by simply by clicking this link. You can also join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage.