High-level negotiations between the United States and Russia in Moscow aimed at ending the war in Ukraine concluded without a breakthrough, as the Kremlin stated that no agreement had been reached on the critical issue of territorial control. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, and special envoy Steve Witkoff after previously indicating that Russian forces were prepared to continue military operations to achieve their stated objectives.
The discussions took place during a tense diplomatic period for Ukraine, with the United States presenting an updated peace proposal shaped by concerns from Kyiv and European partners. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that although no compromise had been reached on the status of occupied territories, certain elements of the American proposal could still be explored. He noted that some suggestions were unacceptable to Moscow, and negotiations would continue.
President Trump acknowledged the complexity of efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict, describing the situation as challenging during a cabinet meeting in Washington. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a televised interview that the talks had made limited progress toward a potential resolution.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that any peace plan must ensure a permanent end to the war rather than a temporary halt in hostilities that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. He stressed the need for transparent negotiations that respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, adding that no decisions should be made without Ukraine’s direct involvement in determining its future.
