Putin, US envoy fail to reach Ukraine peace deal—Kremlin
The talks included US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, following weeks of intensive diplomacy aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. The US delegation has not released comments since departing Moscow.
Earlier, Putin dismissed adjustments suggested by Kyiv and European partners to a US-backed peace proposal, warning that if Europe "wants to go to war and starts one, we are ready right now." Ukraine and its allies had urged Washington to revise the draft plan, which the White House has sought to finalize quickly and which the Kremlin had previously indicated it could accept.
Yuri Ushakov, a senior aide to Putin, commented on the outcome: "We have not come up with a compromise version yet... A lot of work lies ahead." He added that while Moscow agreed with some points, others were still subject to criticism. Core disagreements persist, particularly regarding Ukraine ceding territory it currently controls and the security guarantees offered by European nations.
Moscow and Kyiv’s European partners also hold markedly different visions for what a settlement should entail. Ahead of the talks, Putin criticized European leaders supporting Ukraine’s defense, arguing they are under the misconception that they can achieve a strategic defeat over Russia. He reiterated, "we weren't planning to go to war with Europe - but if Europe suddenly wants to go to war and starts one, we are ready right now."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expects a briefing from the US team following the discussions, though it is uncertain whether Witkoff and Kushner will travel to Kyiv or other European capitals for further negotiations. Speaking before the Moscow talks, he emphasized that the opportunity to end the war is "now more than ever," while noting that specific elements of the proposals remain unresolved. "Everything depends on today's discussions," he said, highlighting the need for Kyiv’s participation in peace discussions and for "clear security guarantees be agreed, such as Nato membership." He added, "We have to stop the war in such a manner that in one year, Russia would not come back."
Ukraine has participated in two rounds of high-level consultations on the draft plan in recent weeks, attended by Witkoff, Kushner, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The White House said the plan had been "very much refined," though details of revisions remain undisclosed.
Putin, confident in Russia's battlefield position, has remained firm in his demands, while Zelensky continues to insist on retaining control over eastern Ukrainian regions. During the talks, US officials acknowledged progress but stressed that the ultimate decision rests with the Russian president. Rubio noted, "The decisions have to be made, in the case of Russia, by Putin alone - not his advisers, Putin only. Putin can end this war on the Russian side."
European allies of Ukraine have countered the US-backed 28-point plan with their own document, removing several of the most contentious provisions, including Washington's recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as Russian-controlled. Zelensky met with French President Emmanuel Macron, with other European leaders joining virtually. Macron remarked that "there was no finalised plan to speak of" and that an agreement would require contributions from both Ukraine and Europe.
Meanwhile, fighting continues on the front lines. Ukrainian forces reported ongoing engagements in Pokrovsk, contradicting Moscow’s claim of having captured the city. Russia shared footage suggesting control of the area, while Ukrainian authorities dismissed these assertions, reporting continued resistance in the northern part of the city and heavy Russian losses. Similar disputes were reported in Vovchansk and Kupyans, with Kyiv asserting improved positions despite Russian claims of conquest.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, tens of thousands of soldiers have been killed or wounded, alongside more than 14,000 civilian casualties. Residential neighborhoods, hospitals, and schools have been heavily damaged by missile and drone attacks. The conflict traces back to 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea following the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Russian president and supported separatist movements in eastern Ukraine.
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