A crucial round of high-level diplomacy between Russia and the United States concluded in Moscow without any significant progress towards ending the war in Ukraine. The talks, which lasted nearly five hours, ended in a stalemate, mere hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning that Russia was 'ready for war' with Europe if provoked.
Moscow Talks: Useful But Inconclusive
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov described the discussions with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner as 'extremely useful, constructive, and informed'. However, he candidly admitted that the sides were 'neither further nor closer to resolving the crisis in Ukraine'. He emphasised that a lot of work remains to be done.
Ushakov revealed that the Russian side received four new documents from the American delegation, supplementing the original peace plan. While some US proposals seemed acceptable, others contained wording that Moscow found unacceptable. Major divergences on core issues, including territorial control, persist. The Russian president himself reportedly expressed a critical and even negative attitude towards several American proposals during the meeting.
Putin's Bellicose Warning Overshadows Diplomacy
The diplomatic efforts were heavily overshadowed by President Putin's aggressive rhetoric. A Kremlin aide quoted Putin stating that if Europe wanted to start a war, a situation could rapidly arise where 'we have no one to negotiate with'. He accused European leaders of being warmongers whose sole goal was to sabotage US-led peace efforts orchestrated by former President Donald Trump.
In a separate statement, Putin threatened strikes on vessels from countries supporting Ukraine's recent naval attacks, which he labelled as acts of 'piracy' by the Ukrainian armed forces.
US Role and Ukraine's Cautious Stance
The US envoys, with Witkoff reportedly meeting Putin for the sixth time this year, presented a revised framework based on an earlier 28-point proposal. This plan, drafted with Russian sovereign wealth fund head Kirill Dmitriev, has previously alarmed Kyiv and European capitals for echoing Russian demands. The delegation also discussed adapting elements of Trump's Gaza mediation model for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking from Dublin, said he was awaiting the outcome of the Moscow talks. He expressed readiness to meet with Trump but stressed that progress must not reward Russian aggression. While calling Witkoff 'very welcome to Ukraine,' Zelensky was uncertain if the US team would visit Kyiv soon.
What Lies Ahead for the Peace Process?
The path forward remains uncertain. Ushakov indicated that a potential Putin-Trump meeting would depend on the progress made in lower-level talks. The Kremlin maintains that dialogue is open, but 'there is a lot of work left to do both in Moscow and Washington'.
President Zelensky has repeatedly stated his willingness to agree to a ceasefire, but only on the condition that it does not solidify Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territory. With fundamental gaps remaining and tensions high, the prospect of a swift diplomatic resolution appears distant.
