No Breakthrough in Moscow: Russia Says Talks With Trump Envoys Made “No Progress” Toward Ukraine Peace Deal
Russia and the United States failed to make any significant progress toward a Ukraine peace framework during high-stakes talks in Moscow, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, just hours after President Vladimir Putin declared that Russia was “ready for war with Europe if necessary.”
Ushakov described the five-hour meeting with Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner as “useful and constructive,” but acknowledged bluntly that the two sides remained far apart on every core issue.
🇺🇦 No Movement on Territory, Security Guarantees, or Ceasefire Structure
Ushakov said Moscow and Washington discussed the “essence” of a U.S. peace proposal—drafted with input from a Russian official and recently revised—but admitted that major disagreements remain.
He emphasized that Russia had a “critical and even negative attitude” toward several U.S. ideas, especially those touching territorial control and Ukraine’s future security posture.
“We are neither further nor closer to resolving the crisis,” Ushakov said. “There is a lot of work to be done.”
He also noted that some details of the discussions would remain confidential and that a Trump–Putin summit was “not imminent.”
⚡ Putin Sets Aggressive Tone: “If Europe wants war, we are ready”
Just before the talks, Putin delivered a confrontational message, accusing European countries of blocking peace efforts:
- “Europe is preventing the U.S. administration from achieving peace,” he said.
- “Russia does not intend to fight Europe, but if Europe starts, we are ready right now.”
Putin did not specify which European demands he rejected, but Kremlin media later claimed European capitals were pushing Ukraine to reject territorial concessions.
The statements appear part of a broader strategy to drive a wedge between Trump and U.S. allies, many of whom have publicly opposed elements of Trump’s original 28-point peace plan.
🇺🇸 What the U.S. Team Wanted
Witkoff—on his sixth trip to Moscow this year—was expected to present an improved version of the U.S. plan, updated after direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Changes reportedly included:
- reduced territorial concessions
- adjustments to demilitarization terms
- preliminary ideas for potential NATO-linked security guarantees
Zelenskyy publicly said the new framework “looks better” but stressed negotiations were “not over yet.”
He also signaled he was ready to meet President Trump “as soon as today’s talks conclude.”
🪖 Putin Claims Gains in Ukraine as Talks Stall
While diplomacy faltered, Putin boasted of fresh Russian advances, claiming the capture of the key city Pokrovsk.
Ukrainian officials disputed the claim, but independent military analysts acknowledge Russia now controls most of the city after a year-long assault.
Buoyed by battlefield gains, the Kremlin appears convinced it can push for an agreement closer to Ukraine’s capitulation than compromise.
🚢 More Threats: Russia Warns It Will Target Ships Entering Ukrainian Ports
Following Ukraine’s recent strikes on Russia’s “shadow fleet,” Putin warned that Moscow would retaliate:
- “We will step up strikes on Ukrainian ports.”
- “Any ship entering them may be targeted.”
This marks a major escalation in the Black Sea confrontation.
🎯 Bottom Line
Despite days of shuttle diplomacy and a heavily revised U.S. peace plan:
- No ceasefire terms were agreed
- No territorial framework was accepted
- No future meeting between Trump and Putin was scheduled
Instead, the Kremlin is signaling that it feels emboldened—and prepared for either diplomacy on its terms, or continued war.