Kremlin: No Breakthrough in Moscow Talks with Trump Envoys on Ukraine War

High-level talks between Russian and American officials in the Kremlin on Tuesday failed to produce a major breakthrough on ending the war in Ukraine, with the Kremlin stating that no compromise has yet been reached on the central issue of occupied territories.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a five-hour meeting with Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. The U.S. delegation presented a revised American peace proposal that had been adjusted following strong objections from Kyiv and European allies to an earlier version seen as too favourable to Moscow.

Speaking after the talks, senior Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov described the discussions as “useful” but stressed that significant differences remain. “On the question of territories, we have not yet found a compromise, although certain American ideas can be discussed further,” Ushakov said. He added that some formulations in the proposal “do not suit us”, and that work will continue.

The original U.S. plan, reportedly divided into four main sections, had sparked alarm in Ukraine and Europe for appearing to align closely with Russian demands, including on territorial concessions. Moscow continues to insist that any settlement must recognise its annexation of four Ukrainian regions and Crimea, a position Kyiv and its Western partners reject outright.

President Trump, speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House, acknowledged the complexity of the negotiations. “Our people are in Russia right now trying to get it settled. It’s not an easy situation—what a mess,” he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that any agreement must deliver a lasting peace rather than a temporary freeze in fighting. “There will be no simple solutions. Everything must be fair, transparent, and decided together with Ukraine—not about us without us,” he wrote on social media.

The Kremlin also rejected the idea of European peacekeeping forces monitoring any potential ceasefire and maintained its hard-line stance on security guarantees and the status of occupied areas.

Ahead of the meeting, Putin signalled Russia’s readiness to press its military campaign, describing the recent capture of the eastern Ukrainian stronghold of Pokrovsk as a “good foothold” for achieving Moscow’s original war objectives.

Despite the lack of immediate progress, Russian officials noted that the exchange did not widen the gap between the two sides, leaving the door open for continued diplomacy in the coming days.

Also Read: Meghalaya Congress Keeps Door Open for Mukul Sangma’s Return, But Reminds Him of His Own ‘Never Again’ Pledge