Russia has stated that no agreement was found on the critical issue of territorial control in Ukraine, following lengthy discussions between senior US officials and President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Five-Hour Meeting Ends With No Breakthrough
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and adviser Jared Kushner met Putin on Tuesday as Washington attempts to shape a deal to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
The talks stretched for nearly five hours, ending after midnight.
Top Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said that while the meeting was “constructive,” the two sides remained far apart on territorial questions.
“So far, we haven’t found a compromise,” Ushakov said, noting that some American proposals were “open for discussion.”
He emphasized that “a lot of work lies ahead” for both governments.
Updated US Peace Plan Still Under Fire
The US delegation travelled to Moscow to discuss a revised peace plan, after an earlier 28-point draft was rejected by Ukraine and European partners for leaning too much toward Russia’s interests.
Russia also dismissed the counter-proposal from Kyiv and Europe as “unacceptable.”
Ahead of the meeting, Putin gave fiery remarks at an investment forum, accusing European nations of sabotaging peace:
“They are on the side of war,” Putin said, adding that new Western positions were designed to block the peace process entirely.
He also threatened further strikes on Ukrainian ports, ships, and tankers, blaming Kyiv for attacks on Russian oil vessels near Türkiye.
Ukraine: ‘Putin Does Not Want Peace’
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded sharply, saying Putin’s escalating threats showed he had no intention of ending the conflict.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, visiting Ireland, said Ukraine seeks a “dignified peace” but fears some allies may grow fatigued.
“It’s Russia’s goal to withdraw America’s interest,” Zelenskyy told an audience in Dublin.
Trump, meanwhile, acknowledged the difficulty of the talks:
“Not an easy situation. What a mess,” he said at a cabinet meeting in Washington.
Witkoff and Kushner are expected to meet Ukrainian officials next, possibly in Brussels.
Russia Claims Gains on the Battlefield
Amid the diplomatic push, Moscow claimed it had captured Pokrovsk, calling it a city of “special significance” in the Donbas region.
Kyiv denied this, accusing Russia of creating the illusion of unstoppable progress.
Putin hinted that holding Pokrovsk would allow Russian forces to advance in multiple directions, depending on military priorities.
According to data cited by Reuters, Russian forces now control more than 19% of Ukrainian territory, with faster gains in 2025 than in any year since 2022.
Territory Remains the Biggest Stumbling Block
The earlier leaked US draft plan reportedly included Russian demands such as:
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restrictions on the size of Ukraine’s army
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Russian control over the entire Donbas
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recognition of Russian presence in Zaporizhia and Kherson
Ukraine considers these terms unacceptable.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly stressed that territorial integrity is the greatest challenge in negotiations:
“Such concessions would be capitulation,” Kyiv has said.