U.S.–Russia Peace Talks Stall as Kremlin Rejects Key Proposals

Russia and the United States failed to reach common ground on a potential peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine after an extensive five-hour meeting in the Kremlin, according to a statement released Wednesday. The negotiations, led by President Vladimir Putin and two of U.S. President Donald Trump’s top envoys—businessman Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner—stretched past midnight but concluded without a breakthrough.

Trump has long expressed frustration over the ongoing conflict, calling it one of the most challenging foreign-policy issues of his presidency. Despite occasional criticism aimed at both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the latest diplomatic push offered no immediate progress. Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said the discussions were “constructive,” but emphasized that “compromises have not yet been found” and that the two sides still face significant obstacles.

Ushakov noted that Putin reacted negatively to several U.S. suggestions, though he acknowledged that some American draft proposals were “more or less acceptable” and still open for discussion. Sensitive details remain undisclosed, as both sides agreed to keep the specifics confidential. After the talks, Witkoff headed to the U.S. embassy in Moscow to deliver a briefing to the White House.

A key sticking point involved what the Kremlin calls the “territorial problem”—Russia’s claim over the entire Donbas region, despite Ukraine maintaining control of roughly 5,000 square kilometers of internationally recognized Ukrainian territory. Ushakov stressed that certain U.S. formulations were “not suitable” for Russia, indicating further negotiations will be necessary.

The stalled talks come amid rising concerns among European governments, who worry that Washington’s pursuit of a separate peace framework could undermine their own efforts. A previously leaked set of 28 U.S. proposals had already unsettled Ukrainian and EU officials for appearing too favorable to Moscow. Although the U.S. and Ukraine recently updated their joint peace framework, Zelenskiy cautioned that any lasting solution must be transparent and not forged “behind Ukraine’s back.”

Meanwhile, Putin issued new threats toward Ukraine, suggesting he could sever the country’s access to the sea in response to escalating drone attacks in the Black Sea—remarks that Ukraine’s foreign minister said prove Moscow is not yet serious about ending the war.