Kremlin Special Envoy Quarrels With FT Journalist Over Donbass Surrender

• 27.01.2026, 14:49

Details.

A public conflict has erupted between Russia's special representative for negotiations Kirill Dmitriev and Financial Times correspondent chief Christopher Miller over the discussion of possible parameters of a peace agreement on Ukraine.

The scandal was triggered by the publication of FT, which said that the administration of US President Donald Trump has made it clear to Kiev: security guarantees from Washington may depend on Ukraine's agreement to a version of the peace agreement under the so-called "Anchorage formula." It, according to Russia's version, provides for the withdrawal of the AFU from the Donetsk region in exchange for the freezing of hostilities along the current front line.

Miller published this material in the social network X and noted that the delay in signing the already prepared agreement between Ukraine and the United States may be related to this.

In response to this comment, Dmitriev wrote that "withdrawal of troops from Donbass is the way to peace for Ukraine." In response, Miller clarified that such a path is possible only if it is Russian troops that are withdrawn.

"Russia's withdrawal from Donbass - and its complete withdrawal from Ukraine - is the path to peace. As long as Russian troops remain on Ukrainian soil, there will be no peace. Occupation is not peace," Miller responded to him.

Dmitriev did not end there, however, and moved on to personal insults. He accused Miller of "inciting war" and spreading "fake British narratives" that allegedly prevent peace.