By: The Trek News Desk
Efforts by Washington and Moscow to chart a path toward a Ukraine peace deal appear to have stalled yet again. After nearly five hours of talks in the Kremlin, Russia declared the meeting “constructive” but insisted that key parts of the US proposal remain unacceptable.
Long Meeting, Little Progress
US President Donald Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met Russian President Vladimir Putin following weeks of quiet shuttle diplomacy.
Despite the high-stakes discussions, the American delegation left Moscow without issuing any formal statement.
Putin, meanwhile, doubled down on his earlier stance, rejecting the amendments made by Kyiv and European governments to a US-drafted peace framework. In a sharp warning, he said, “If Europe wants a war and starts one, we are ready.”
Kyiv, Washington, and Europe Pull in Different Directions
For weeks, Ukraine and its European allies have been pushing the US to revise its draft plan. A version leaked in November was widely criticised for appearing tilted in Russia’s favour, prompting a series of revisions.
Following the Moscow meeting, Putin’s senior aide Yuri Ushakov acknowledged partial convergence but highlighted persistent fault lines: “Some points were acceptable, others we strongly objected to. There is still no compromise formula.”
Major disagreements include Russia’s demand that Ukraine surrender territories it still holds and Europe’s insistence on strong, long-term security guarantees for Kyiv.
Putin Slams European Leaders
Ahead of the talks, Putin launched a verbal offensive against European leaders backing Ukraine’s defence, accusing them of harbouring the “illusion” that Russia could be strategically defeated.
Zelensky: ‘Chance to End the War, but Conditions Must Be Clear’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expected to be briefed by the US negotiators once the Moscow meeting concluded.
During a visit to Ireland, he said, “There is more opportunity to end the war now than ever, but the proposals still require work.”
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s red lines, stating that Kyiv must be included in all negotiations and receive reliable security guarantees, including NATO-level protection. Trump, however, has publicly opposed NATO expansion.
Fighting Rages Despite Diplomacy
Even as diplomats met in the Kremlin, heavy fighting continued in eastern Ukraine.
Russia claimed it had captured the strategic city of Pokrovsk, but Ukraine denied this, saying its forces still held the northern districts.
Ukrainian commanders accused Russian troops of staging a symbolic “flag-planting” to generate propaganda. International monitors also questioned Moscow’s claim of a full capture.
Ukraine similarly rejected Russia’s recent assertions of gains in Vovchansk and Kupyansk, saying its troops had actually improved their positions.
The Human Cost of War
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides have been killed or wounded. The UN estimates that more than 14,000 civilians have also died.
Hospitals, schools and residential neighbourhoods continue to be hit in almost nightly missile and drone attacks.
Source: News Agencies
