The latest attempt to broker peace in Ukraine ended without tangible results as Russian and American negotiators concluded lengthy discussions in Moscow without reaching agreement on fundamental issues. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that the five-hour session between Putin and Trump representatives left the conflict resolution “neither further nor closer” to completion, despite describing the conversation as constructive.
Putin used the diplomatic moment to launch verbal attacks against European nations, claiming they were preventing the Trump administration from achieving peace in Ukraine. The Russian president asserted that Russia had no intention of fighting Europe but warned that Moscow stood ready if European powers initiated conflict. His aggressive rhetoric appeared designed to create division between Washington and its European allies, who have pushed back against earlier peace proposals favoring Russian demands.
The meeting involved presentation of an American peace plan that had been revised with input from Russian officials and adjusted to address Ukrainian concerns. However, Ushakov revealed that specific proposals were not discussed in detail, only the essential elements embedded in American documents. Putin reportedly agreed with some components while expressing criticism and outright rejection of others, though the aide declined to specify which elements fell into each category.
Zelenskyy remained engaged throughout the diplomatic process, stating he was awaiting signals from the US delegation and expressing readiness to meet with Trump. The Ukrainian president has been actively lobbying European capitals for support, particularly regarding modifications to the original 28-point proposal. That initial plan included provisions requiring Ukraine to cede eastern territory and accept military limitations, terms Zelenskyy has consistently opposed while demanding enforceable security guarantees from Western partners.
The diplomatic impasse reflects the vast gap between Russian and Ukrainian positions, with Moscow maintaining maximalist demands that essentially require Ukrainian capitulation. Putin has insisted that only the original US proposal can serve as a negotiation foundation while simultaneously stating it needs significant revisions. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue pressing advantages on the battlefield, with Putin claiming recent territorial gains and threatening escalated strikes against Ukrainian ports in response to attacks on Russian vessels.