Bold claim: The Ukraine peace talks show no clear breakthrough after five hours of high-stakes discussions between Vladimir Putin and US envoy; the path to a settlement remains unsettled and fragile.
A Kremlin spokesperson described the Moscow session as constructive, yet stressed that several elements of the proposed plan are still unacceptable to Russia. The meeting, attended by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, followed weeks of intense diplomacy aimed at ending the war. The US team has not issued public remarks since departing Moscow.
Earlier in the day, Putin rejected Kyiv’s and Europe’s revisions to a US-backed draft peace proposal, warning that if Europe intends to wage war, Russia is prepared to respond immediately. Kyiv and its European allies have urged the US to modify the draft, which Washington has been eager to push through quickly. The Kremlin has signaled some openness to the plan but remains cautious.
The draft peace plan has evolved over the past weeks, especially after a controversial leak last November that suggested a tilt in Russia’s favor. After the Moscow talks, Putin aide Yuri Ushakov said Moscow agreed with some points but criticized others. He cautioned that no compromise version has been settled and that substantial work remains.
Disagreements between Moscow and Kyiv persist on core issues, including Ukraine’s potential territorial concessions and the security guarantees Europe would provide. Standoff lines up with broader discord among Moscow, Kyiv, and European supporters on what a final settlement should look like.
Before the talks, Putin criticized European leaders for backing Kyiv’s war effort, asserting that Europe believes it can defeat Russia strategically. He stressed that Russia has no plans to wage war with Europe, but if Europe chooses to begin one, Russia is ready now.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed that he expected a briefing from the US team on the Kremlin discussions, though it remained uncertain whether Witkoff and Kushner would travel to Kyiv or other European capitals for further negotiations. He also emphasized that ending the war “now more than ever” is possible, but noted that some proposal elements still require work. Zelensky reiterated that there are no simple solutions and reaffirmed Kyiv’s stance that it must participate in peace talks with clear security guarantees, potentially including Nato membership, a position opposed by Russia and not supported by Trump.
Zelensky added the goal: a cessation of hostilities in a way that Russia cannot reemerge within a year.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian representatives, including Witkoff, Kushner, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have participated in two rounds of high-level discussions on the draft plan. The White House has described the proposals as being “very much refined,” though the specifics remain undisclosed.
Putin, who believes Russia holds the initiative on the battlefield, has appeared firm on his demands, while Zelensky has consistently stated that eastern Ukrainian territories must remain under Kyiv’s control.
As the talks unfolded, Washington described the negotiations as challenging but progressing, while Kyiv’s European allies offered their own revisions, stripping back some of the more contentious elements—such as recognizing Donetsk and Luhansk as de facto Russian entities.
Zelensky had met French President Emmanuel Macron on the prior day, with other European leaders joining virtually. Macron characterized the state of negotiations as not yet finalized and stressed the need for Ukraine and Europe to contribute their perspectives.
Meanwhile, fighting persisted on the front lines. Ukraine’s military reported ongoing clashes with Russian forces in the eastern city of Pokrovsk, countering Russia’s claims of capture. Russia published a video purporting to show troops in the city, while Ukrainian authorities argued the situation remained contested and disputed the claim of a Russian occupation. Kyiv also rejected Russia’s assertions about gains near the northeastern border town of Vovchansk and reported improvements in its positions in Kupyansk.
Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, tens of thousands have been killed or injured, including civilians, according to the UN. Civilian infrastructure has suffered extensive damage from nightly attacks.
The conflict traces back to 2014, when Ukraine’s pro-Russian president was ousted and Russia annexed Crimea, followed by support for armed uprisings in eastern Ukraine. The war’s trajectory underscores a long, unresolved struggle with no simple path to peace.
