Constructive But Still Stuck: Russia Says Ukraine Peace Talks With US Yield No Deal

Washington: Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff on ending the Ukraine war were described as "constructive," but no agreement was reached on issues related to Ukrainian territory. This information was given by senior Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov.

In this meeting, which lasted for about five hours, both parties could not reach any decisive conclusion. Ushakov said differences between Russia and the United States remain deep, and much work remains to be done.

What was the real hurdle in the meeting?

The meeting lasted until midnight in the Kremlin, with Ushakov also present along with Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Ushakov said the talks were “useful,” but hopes for any major changes were still far away. He said that it has been agreed to keep the discussion confidential; hence, the points of discussion are not being made public.

What new proposals did America make, and why did Russia reject them?

Ushakov says that the American side came with new conditions, but no agreement was possible on issues related to Ukrainian land. He said Putin asked Witkoff to deliver some "important political signals" directly to Trump, though he declined to elaborate.

How is the Trump administration viewing this effort?

During a Cabinet meeting in Washington, Trump said his envoy's mission was to see if a way could be found to end this war. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is drafting the new peace deal, said the purpose of Witkoff's visit was simply to find a way to stop the war.

Why is Putin angry with Europe?

Hours before meeting the US team, Putin accused European countries of hindering the peace process. He said the European proposals are based on “conditions that prolong the war” and are absolutely unacceptable to Russia. Putin warned NATO countries that Russia would not start a war, but that if Europe made a mistake, "it would not take long for the war to end."

What does Russia's threat to the sea route mean?

Putin warned that if drone attacks on the Russian 'Shadow Fleet' continued, Russia could cut off Ukraine's access to the sea. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrei Sibiha said these statements show that Putin is not interested in real peace.

What is Ukraine President Zelensky's stance?

At a press conference in Dublin, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would evaluate the process only on the basis of its results. "There will be no easy solutions. It is important that everything remains transparent and that there is no deal behind Ukraine's backlash," he said.

How much territory is under Russia's control so far in the war?

According to Reuters, in almost four years, Russia has so far captured about 19 percent of Ukraine's territory. Although there have been some gains in 2025, Russia has not achieved its major military goals and still faces stiff resistance from U.S. and European-backed Ukraine.