"Three plus two": Budanov explains what Russia means by "Anchorage understandings"

Oleksandr Shumilin - 7 July, 09:22

Kyrylo Budanov. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has said the Russians use the term "Anchorage understandings" to refer to an end to the war under which everyone recognises Russia's sovereignty over Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts as well as the parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts currently under Russian occupation.

Source: Budanov in an interview with RBC-Ukraine

Details: Budanov said he "fully understands" what the Russians mean when they refer to the "Anchorage understandings".

Quote: "It is an interpretation of what happened there in Alaska. And each side has its own interpretation. The Russians believe in what they usually call 'three plus two'. That's their right – they can believe that.

The 'three' are the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblast. The 'plus two' refers to the parts of Kherson Oblast and Zaporizhzhia Oblast that are currently under their control.

In other words, ending the war on those terms, with everyone recognising the Russian Federation's full sovereignty over those territories. That is the 'Anchorage understandings'. That is the meaning the Russians attach to the term. There are many other elements as well, but as far as Ukraine is concerned, this is what it means."

Background:

On 15 August 2025, US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin met at a military base in Anchorage, Alaska. The summit ended without any official announcements on agreements or a ceasefire. However, shortly afterwards, the phrase "Anchorage understandings" began appearing in official Russian rhetoric.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later said that no agreements on Ukraine had been reached during last year's summit between Trump and Putin.
In late June, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the US of abandoning the so-called "Anchorage understandings".
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to recent Russian claims that the US is retreating from the so-called "Anchorage understandings", saying Moscow should instead focus on genuine negotiations to end the war.

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