Putin Reveals Details of Anchorage Talks, Signals Possible Territorial Compromise

President Vladimir Putin spoke about negotiations with Washington and Kyiv on a peace plan for Ukraine during a meeting with members of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. Addressing business leaders, the Russian leader reaffirmed Moscow's position on Donbas and shared details of recent diplomatic contacts with the United States.

Photo: kremlin.ru by Пресс-служба Кремля, https://creativecommons.org/public-domain/pdm/

Vladimir Putin

Donbas Status 'Not Up for Discussion'

Recalling Russia's long-standing stance, Putin emphasized that Moscow would not renounce Donbas under any circumstances. According to Kommersant special correspondent Andrey Kolesnikov, the president made it clear that the issue of territorial ownership in the region remains closed.

"The Donbas is ours. The question of the status of the Kramatorsk-Konstantinovka-Slovyansk hub is not being discussed.”

At the same time, Putin stressed that Russia does not question the historical affiliation of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk, framing the issue as one of security and political guarantees rather than formal recognition.

Anchorage Talks and Possible Compromises

According to Kolesnikov, the Russian president said Moscow had previously been prepared to make concessions in the interest of peace, based on agreements discussed during the Russia-US summit in Anchorage, Alaska. He did not rule out the possibility of a partial territorial exchange with Ukraine, describing such scenarios as complex but negotiable.

Putin noted that several points of the US peace proposal were agreed upon almost spontaneously during the Anchorage talks. However, he added that the American side later retreated from some of its own ideas after consultations with European allies, a move the Russian leader reportedly viewed as a sign of weakness.

US Interest in Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

The Russian president also revealed that Moscow and Washington discussed the future of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. According to Putin, the American side expressed interest in potential joint management of the facility.

He said US representatives raised the issue of energy-related mining projects at the site and suggested exploring electricity supplies to Ukraine. Putin added that Ukrainian specialists continue to work at the plant, noting that they now hold Russian passports.

Readiness for Peace and Western Responsibility

Earlier, on December 19, Putin reiterated his willingness to pursue compromises during a televised call-in show combined with his annual press conference. He recalled that during the August meeting in Anchorage with US President Donald Trump, Russia had largely accepted American proposals on conflict settlement.

"We were asked to make certain compromises. When I arrived in Anchorage, I said these would not be easy decisions for us, but we agreed to the compromises proposed.”

The Russian leader concluded that responsibility for further progress now lies with Western partners and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He also recalled that in late November, Trump publicly stated that Russia had already made concessions, including readiness to cease hostilities and abandon new territorial claims.