Ukraine Peace Mission: Deal or New Pressure?
A United States delegation met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin to discuss a new peace proposal for the Ukraine war. For the first time, Jared Kushner accompanied the delegation, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff. The meeting lasted about five hours, and both sides described the talks as “productive” and “constructive,” although no concrete compromises or direct meetings between Putin and Trump were planned.
This was part of a new US effort to push a peace proposal that has been updated from the previous 28-point version, which was initially rejected by Ukraine. The latest version now contains 20 points. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the new proposal “looks better” but is far from final. He is awaiting a direct report from Witkoff and Kushner after their meeting with Putin, as Ukraine’s next steps depend heavily on the outcome of these talks.
Meanwhile, Russia remains assertive. Putin claims his forces have captured the key city of Pokrovsk and has threatened to block Ukrainian shipping in the Black Sea in retaliation for attacks on Russian tankers, allegations Ukraine denies. Russia is also demanding that Ukraine withdraw its troops from the entire Donbas region and guarantees that NATO will not expand further east. These conditions remain difficult for Kyiv to accept.
Ukraine itself is in a difficult position. Domestically, Zelensky is rocked by a corruption scandal that has weakened his position, while the economy is strained by the mounting costs of the war. Abroad, US aid has stalled, and Europe is still debating new funding and the use of frozen Russian assets. European countries are also concerned that the negotiations are proceeding without their full involvement.
Many analysts believe a quick ceasefire is still unlikely. Both Moscow and Kyiv are still trying to find the most favorable positions before reaching a final agreement. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is believed to be eager to push for a deal that benefits Russia and gives Trump the image of a "peacemaker." But as long as Russia's demands and Ukraine's red lines remain unmet, the war and the exhausting diplomatic process are likely to continue.
Source: Bloomberg.com
