In a significant diplomatic effort, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in over five hours of discussions with top negotiators from the United States, including Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner. However, despite the depth of the conversations, no breakthrough was achieved regarding a potential peace deal for Ukraine, according to a Kremlin aide who spoke early Wednesday.
The talks, which took place at the Kremlin on Tuesday, were described by Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy adviser to Putin, as “very useful, constructive, and highly substantive.” Nonetheless, he noted that a “compromise option was not found.” Ushakov clarified that while some American proposals appeared acceptable, others did not align with Russia’s expectations. “The work will continue,” he affirmed, indicating that discussions would persist.
Among the contentious issues that have surfaced in these negotiations are the Kremlin's demands for Ukraine to formally renounce its aspirations to join NATO and to surrender territories in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, which have been annexed but not fully conquered by Russia. The US has yet to publicly comment on the recent talks, but prior to the meeting, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed a sense of optimism regarding the potential for a peace agreement to conclude the ongoing conflict.
Ushakov mentioned that a future meeting between Putin and Trump has not been scheduled, stating that any such encounter would depend on the progress made during negotiations. Ukrainian officials continue to reject the Kremlin’s demands, which they view as non-negotiable. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his anticipation of communicating with the US negotiation team post-discussions with Putin, hoping for signals indicating the outcomes of the meeting. “If the signals work out – if it is a fair game with our partners – then perhaps we will meet with the American delegation very soon,” he stated.
Hours before the high-level talks, Putin issued a warning regarding potential conflicts with Europe, asserting that while Russia does not intend to initiate war, it is prepared to respond to any aggression from European nations. He accused European leaders of obstructing the US-proposed peace deal by asserting demands that are “absolutely unacceptable for Russia.” Putin further suggested that Ukraine’s European allies are, in effect, “on the side of the war,” complicating the path to peace.
Putin's remarks hinted at dissatisfaction with modifications made to the original 28-point peace plan proposed by the US last month, which had been previously rejected by Ukraine and its allies. A subsequent meeting in Geneva between Ukrainian and US delegations resulted in adjustments to the draft, making it more acceptable to Kyiv. Nevertheless, the Kremlin reiterated that any peace agreement must address the foundational causes of the conflict, which include halting NATO expansion and recognizing Russia’s claims over occupied Ukrainian territories.
A senior NATO official indicated that there seems to be no willingness from Moscow to make significant concessions to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. The official noted that Russia continues to maintain its territorial demands, aiming to weaken Ukraine’s military capabilities to facilitate further aggression. This backdrop of tension comes as US officials and a Ukrainian delegation recently met in Miami, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the talks as “very productive,” although he acknowledged that challenges remain.
As the diplomatic dialogue unfolds, Witkoff and Kushner were seen navigating Moscow’s Red Square with Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev before their meeting. Their lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant, featuring delicacies like caviar and venison, highlights the blend of high-stakes negotiations and cultural exchanges that characterize these talks.