"3 plus 2": Budanov explains what Russians mean by "Spirit of Anchorage"

Budanov's explanation

Kyrylo Budanov, a Ukrainian official, revealed in an interview that when Russians refer to the "Spirit of Anchorage," they mean a specific framework for ending the war. According to Budanov, Russia expects international recognition of its sovereignty over Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts, as well as the currently occupied parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. He described this formula as "3 plus 2": three referring to Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk, plus two for the occupied parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Background of the "Spirit of Anchorage"

The term emerged after the August 15, 2025 summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. The summit ended without any official statements on agreements or a ceasefire. Shortly afterward, the phrase "Spirit of Anchorage" appeared in Russian official discourse. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists on June 25 that no agreements regarding Ukraine were reached at the previous year's summit. In late June, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the United States of betraying the so-called "Spirit of Anchorage."

Ukraine's response

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded to Russia's accusations that the U.S. was retreating from the "Spirit of Anchorage" understandings. He emphasized that Moscow should focus on genuine negotiations to end the war rather than invented terms.