Russia says “no territorial compromise” after talks with U.S. over Ukraine
A Russian official says Moscow will not concede any territorial issues after President Vladimir Putin’s extended meeting with top U.S. representatives
A Russian official has said that no compromise has been reached on the vital issue of Ukrainian territorial control after talks in Moscow between President Vladimir Putin and senior U.S. envoys.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner met Putin on Tuesday as Washington attempts to broker an end to Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. The meeting lasted nearly five hours. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said that while discussions were “useful and constructive,” a territorial agreement remained elusive. “So far, we haven’t found a compromise, but some American proposals can be discussed,” he noted, adding that significant work remains for both capitals.
The U.S. delegation travelled to Moscow to present an updated peace plan after a previously leaked 28-point draft was criticised by Kyiv and its allies for leaning toward Russia. The Kremlin has also rejected Kyiv and Europe’s counter-proposal, with Putin repeatedly calling it “unacceptable.”
Before meeting the U.S. negotiators, Putin delivered aggressive remarks at an investment forum, accusing European allies of Ukraine of undermining peace efforts and vowing to escalate attacks on Ukrainian ports, vessels, and tankers aiding Kyiv. In response, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Putin’s comments show he has no interest in ending the war.
On a visit to Ireland, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the need for a “dignified peace,” warning that Russia aims to weaken U.S. and European commitment to Kyiv. He expressed concern that allies could become “tired” of the conflict.
President Trump acknowledged the difficulty of the negotiations, saying U.S. representatives were “in Russia right now to see if we can get it settled,” describing the war as a “mess” causing tens of thousands of casualties each month.
Kushner and Witkoff may meet a Ukrainian delegation as early as Wednesday, potentially in Brussels, according to a senior Kyiv official.
The diplomatic push comes as Russia claims to have captured Pokrovsk, a strategically important city in the Donbas. Kyiv denies this, accusing Moscow of trying to create the perception of an inevitable advance. Putin suggested that Russian forces could expand operations from the area in any direction deemed advantageous.
Russia currently controls over 19 percent of Ukrainian territory—an increase from last year—and its forces have gained ground in 2025 at their fastest pace since 2022, according to pro-Ukrainian mapping cited by Reuters.
A leaked earlier version of the U.S. peace plan indicated Russia was seeking limits on the size of Ukraine’s army, full control of the Donbas, and recognition of its hold over Zaporizhia and Kherson. Kyiv has rejected such demands as “capitulation,” with Zelenskyy insisting that safeguarding territorial integrity remains the central challenge in the negotiations.
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