Five Hours of Negotiations Leave Ukraine Peace Effort at Standstill, Russia Says

Peace negotiations between Russia and the United States to end the Ukraine conflict concluded without tangible results Tuesday, with senior Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov acknowledging that extended discussions produced no progress toward resolution. The talks between President Putin and Trump administration representatives left the situation unchanged, though the meeting was characterized as constructive and informed.
Russian President Putin used the diplomatic occasion to deliver aggressive statements targeting European governments, accusing them of sabotaging peace initiatives and blocking American attempts to end the war. The Russian leader issued warnings that Moscow stood ready for immediate war with Europe if European powers initiated hostilities, though he claimed Russia had no intention of starting such a conflict. Putin’s combative rhetoric appeared designed to create or exacerbate divisions between the Trump White House and European allies.
The negotiations centered on an updated American peace framework that had been revised based on consultations with Russian officials and modifications to address Ukrainian concerns. Despite the meeting’s useful nature, Ushakov revealed that specific proposals were not examined in detail, with conversations focusing on core concepts underlying the American documents. Putin reportedly responded positively to some elements while expressing critical and negative views toward multiple provisions, with certain negotiation details designated as confidential.
President Zelenskyy maintained active involvement throughout the diplomatic process, announcing his readiness to receive information from the US team and expressing willingness for direct contact with Trump. The Ukrainian leader has conducted extensive consultations with European capitals seeking support for modifications to an original 28-point peace plan he viewed as excessively favorable to Moscow. Zelenskyy has consistently opposed provisions requiring territorial concessions and military size limitations while demanding concrete Western security commitments.
The continued diplomatic stalemate unfolds against ongoing battlefield developments, with Putin claiming recent Russian territorial gains and threatening escalated strikes on Ukrainian maritime infrastructure. Russia maintains demanding positions that would fundamentally compromise Ukrainian sovereignty, including dramatic military reductions, prohibition of Western support, and acquisition of Ukrainian-controlled territory. Trump characterized the situation as a “mess” without easy resolution, while doubts persist about Russia’s genuine interest in compromise versus awaiting further Western alliance fractures.