Why the Anchorage Formula is the Central Stumbling Block in UAE Peace Talks

Ukraine, US, and Russia Hold Talks in the UAE

According to Главком: A second round of closed-door, high-security trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia is underway in the United Arab Emirates, aiming to end the war. The negotiations, which began on January 23, have so far yielded no tangible results as of January 24. The primary obstacle to progress remains the so-called 'Anchorage Formula.' These talks represent a rare diplomatic engagement between the warring parties and a key international mediator.

The Contentious Anchorage Proposal

The Anchorage Formula proposes a withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces from the entire territory of the Donetsk region in exchange for a freeze of hostilities along the current front line. This framework is based on verbal understandings reportedly reached during an Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian delegation, represented by:

• Rustem Umerov
• Kyrylo Budanov
• David Arakhamia
• Sergiy Kyslytsya

has rejected this proposal outright.

The American side in the negotiations includes:

• Steve Witkoff
• Jared Kushner
• Josh Gruenbaum
• General Daniel Driscoll
• General Alex Grinkevich

The Russian delegation consists of representatives from military intelligence and the army. According to Rustem Umerov, discussions are currently focused on the technical parameters for ending the war and the logic of the subsequent process.

Due to the confidential nature of the talks, specific details of the discussions remain unknown to the wider public. The lack of progress in reaching a consensus underscores the complexity of the situation and the serious disagreements between the parties. The ongoing military conflict, which has severe implications for regional and global security, forms the tense backdrop for these negotiations. The prominence of the Anchorage Formula highlights the deep political divides and challenges facing all participants, making careful monitoring essential as any breakthrough or escalation could significantly alter the course of events in the region.