Kremlin Signals No Ukraine Breakthrough After Talks with the US
Two hours ago, five hours of discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior US negotiator Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner, yielded no significant progress on a potential peace deal regarding Ukraine. A Kremlin spokesperson described the Moscow meeting as constructive; however, he noted that parts of the proposed plan remained unacceptable to Russia.
Ahead of the talks, Putin expressed that changes suggested by Kyiv and European leaders to a US-backed draft peace plan were not acceptable. He warned that Russia is prepared for conflict if Europe chooses to escalate tensions. Ukraine and its allies have been advocating for amendments to this draft, which initially appeared to favor Russia when leaked in November. While the plan has seen several revisions, significant disagreements persist, particularly related to territorial concessions and security guarantees from Europe.
Putin’s top aide, Yuri Ushakov, remarked that while the Kremlin agreed with certain aspects of the proposal, a compromise version has yet to be established, with a lot of work ahead. Complications remain, especially regarding Ukraine’s willingness to cede control of strategic areas and the expectations of European allies.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgency of finding a resolution, stating that the opportunity to end the conflict is greater now than ever. He reiterated the necessity for Ukraine to actively participate in peace discussions, demanding clear security assurances, including a NATO membership that Russia vehemently opposes.
As negotiations unfolded, news emerged from the front lines that Ukraine’s military continues to engage Russian forces in the crucial eastern city of Pokrovsk, contradicting Moscow’s claims of control. The ongoing conflict, fueled by Russia’s full-scale invasion that began in February 2022, has led to immense casualties and destruction.
The situation remains tense, with both sides far from a consensus. While Ukraine aims for a swift resolution to prevent further aggression from Russia, Putin believes his military has the upper hand. The fate of the region hangs in the balance as talks continue amidst persistent fighting on the ground.