Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov announced on Wednesday that peace negotiations in Moscow with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, did not result in a compromise to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite this, Ushakov described the discussions as “useful” and “constructive.”
The nearly five-hour meeting, attended by President Vladimir Putin, marked Witkoff’s sixth visit to Russia this year. The discussions centered around a revised U.S. peace proposal, which had been developed with input from Ukrainian officials. While some viewed this framework as a potential breakthrough, Ushakov’s reserved comments indicated that Moscow and Kyiv remain significantly divided in negotiations that have persisted since Trump began his second term.
“A compromise solution hasn’t been found yet, but some of the ideas the Americans proposed look more or less acceptable, though they still need to be discussed,” Ushakov told reporters. “Some of the wording they suggested doesn’t work for us.”
Sticking Points in Negotiations
The details of the talks remain undisclosed. When asked whether the meeting brought Russia and Ukraine any closer to a peace settlement, Ushakov stated that the two nations were “certainly not further” apart than before, acknowledging that “there is a lot of work to be done.”
Ushakov emphasized that the issue of Ukrainian territory is “the most important” for Moscow, highlighting Putin’s firm stance on maintaining control over the Donbas region. This region has been a focal point of contention, with Russian forces allegedly capturing the key city of Pokrovsk over the weekend.
Prospects for Future Dialogue
The meeting was described as an opportunity to explore the possibilities for future discussions. Witkoff and Kushner reportedly “promised” to travel to Kyiv to brief Ukrainian officials, indicating ongoing diplomatic efforts. However, Ushakov offered little hope for a new summit between Trump and Putin, which was initially planned for October in Hungary but was canceled after Trump expressed doubts about the effectiveness of high-level talks.
“As for a possible meeting at the presidential level, that will depend on the progress we’re able to make through the persistent work carried out by our aides and representatives,” Ushakov said.
Economic Cooperation: A Parallel Agenda
Beyond the immediate focus on Ukraine, Ushakov hinted that the talks also covered “vast prospects for future economic cooperation” between the U.S. and Russia. “This had been discussed many times at earlier meetings as well,” he noted, emphasizing the need for “real commitment” to capitalize on these opportunities.
The Moscow Times reported in April that the Kremlin had instructed major Russian corporations to prepare proposals for economic collaboration with Washington following Trump’s election. According to government and business sources, Moscow has been attempting to link business deals to Ukraine peace talks as a strategy to sway Trump towards a settlement more favorable to Russia.
“If we genuinely want to work together — and there are enormous opportunities — then it’s time to show some real commitment,” Ushakov remarked.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite the flurry of diplomatic activity, triggered by the leak of an initial 28-point plan drafted by U.S. and reportedly Russian officials, there is little indication that either Moscow or Kyiv has altered their positions. Putin recently stated that a meeting with Witkoff was essential to discuss the American plan’s details, yet he simultaneously warned that Russian forces would continue their advance in the Donbas region if Ukraine refused to accept his terms for a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has made it clear that it is unwilling to cede any territory it currently controls to Russia. Trump initially set a hard Thanksgiving deadline for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept the latest U.S. peace plan but subsequently retreated from this stance, a pattern seen in his attempts to fulfill his promise to end the war.
The continuation of these complex negotiations suggests that while dialogue remains open, significant hurdles persist. The international community watches closely as both sides navigate the intricate geopolitical landscape, hoping for a resolution that brings lasting peace to the region.
