'Useful, But No Compromise Reached': Russia After Ukraine Peace Talks With US

Last Updated:December 03, 2025, 07:11 IST

High-level US-Russia talks in Moscow once again ended without a compromise, with the Kremlin saying major differences on territorial issues remain unresolved.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin (Photo: AFP)

Efforts to find a path toward ending the war in Ukraine hit another dead end on Wednesday, with the Kremlin confirming that high-level discussions with American representatives produced “no compromise" on the central issue of territory, though the talks were “useful".

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin for what became a lengthy round of talks on Washington’s revised peace proposal.

The meeting came at a pivotal moment for Kyiv, which has warned that any agreement must not sideline Ukrainian interests or sovereignty.

After the discussions, senior Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov acknowledged that the talks had not resolved the most contentious points.

“So far we haven’t found a compromise, but some American solutions can be discussed," he said.

Ushakov added that “some proposed formulations do not fit us, and work will continue."

The revised US plan was brought to Moscow after the earlier version stirred concern in Kyiv and several European capitals, which felt it leaned too far toward Russian demands.

Ushakov said the initial proposal had been divided into four sections and formed the basis of the nearly five-hour conversation.

“There were some points we could agree on," he noted, but stressed that Putin “did not hide our critical, even negative, stance on a number of proposals."

Speaking separately in Washington, Trump also cautioned that progress would be difficult.

“Our people are over in Russia right now to see if we can get it settled," he said during a cabinet meeting.

“Not an easy situation, let me tell you. What a mess," he added.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has repeatedly insisted that Ukraine cannot be excluded from any negotiation, warned that the outcome must ensure a lasting peace.

In a post on social media, he mentioned, “There will be no simple solutions."

He added that what mattered most was transparency, “That there are no games played behind Ukraine’s back. That nothing is decided without Ukraine, about us, about our future."

Territory remains the biggest fault line. Putin has demanded that Kyiv relinquish areas Moscow claims as its own, while the Kremlin also rejects any role for European forces in implementing or overseeing a truce.

Zelensky said the “most difficult questions are about territories, about frozen (Russian) assets… And about security guarantees."

Despite the lack of agreement, Ushakov described the meeting as “useful," saying the two sides had not drifted further apart.

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