Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said the closed-door discussions were “useful” but acknowledged that the two sides failed to produce a framework acceptable to both Washington and Moscow. He reiterated Russia’s long-held position that no agreement is possible unless Kyiv cedes the entire Donbas regiona condition Ukraine has repeatedly rejected.
Ushakov said Putin agreed with “several elements” of the American proposal but was dissatisfied with multiple provisions. “There are many points that require substantial work,” he said, indicating that negotiations remain in an early and uncertain stage.
Despite speculation, Ushakov confirmed that no meeting between Putin and Trump is scheduled at this time. Any future engagement, he said, will depend on whether the US delegation revises its proposal in a way that narrows the gap between the two sides.
While the talks were underway, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to social media, saying Kyiv was awaiting a “clear signal” from the US representatives. Ukrainian officials, speaking on background, said they had anticipated Putin’s stance partial acceptance, firm rejection of key terms, and insistence on territorial concessions. The next step, they said, hinges on how Washington responds.
Ahead of the meeting, Putin accused European nations of altering the US draft plan in a manner that made progress “impossible.” He repeated that Russia “does not seek war” but is prepared if Europe chooses escalation. The White House, meanwhile, expressed cautious hope that the Moscow talks might unlock positive movement.
The proposal under discussion is believed to be a revised version of an earlier 28-point framework criticized by Ukraine and several European governments for leaning heavily in Russia’s favour. With no breakthrough in Moscow, the future of the plan and any path to negotiations remains uncertain.
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