US and Russia Hold “Productive” Talks in Kremlin on Ukraine Conflict

Talks between Russian and US officials aimed at resolving the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine were described as “productive, but there is still much work to do,” according to Yuri Ushakov, a senior advisor to President Vladimir Putin. The meeting, held in the Kremlin, involved discussions between Putin, Steve Vitkof, a representative of American President Donald Trump, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The dialogue began on Tuesday at 19:40 and lasted for five hours, concluding shortly after midnight on Wednesday. Both sides agreed not to disclose the specifics of the discussions. Prior to this meeting, US officials had engaged with a Ukrainian team in Florida, with Secretary of State Marko Rubio characterizing the outcome as cautiously optimistic.

Central to the negotiations is Trump’s peace plan, which emerged publicly last month and raised concerns due to its perceived pro-Moscow stance. The proposal includes several of the Kremlin’s key demands, which Ukraine has dismissed as unacceptable. Among these demands is the transfer of the entire eastern Donbas region to Russia and Ukraine’s withdrawal from NATO ambitions. Negotiators indicated that the framework of the plan has changed, though the details remain unclear.

On Tuesday, Putin accused European allies of Ukraine of undermining US-led efforts to end the war. He stated, “They do not have a peace agenda; they are on the side of war.” This assessment appears to be Putin’s latest attempt to create a rift between Trump and European nations, while deflecting blame for any lack of progress in achieving peace. He further accused Europe of altering peace proposals with “demands that are absolutely unacceptable to Russia,” thereby obstructing the entire peace process.

Despite these tensions, Putin reiterated Russia’s commitment to not attacking Europe, although he expressed readiness for conflict if Europe were to initiate a war. “If Europe suddenly wants to wage war with us and starts it, we are prepared. There is no doubt about that,” he stated.

Since the onset of the conflict in February 2022, European governments have allocated billions of dollars to support Ukraine militarily and financially, while also working to reduce their energy dependence on Russia. Concerns persist that a Russian victory could embolden further threats to other European nations, which have already experienced incursions from Russian drones and aircraft.

Trump’s peace plan relies significantly on Europe to provide the majority of funding and security guarantees for post-war Ukraine. However, European officials have indicated that they were not consulted regarding the initial plan. Consequently, they are insisting that any peace efforts address their own security concerns.

In conjunction with Vitkof’s visit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Ireland, continuing his tour of European nations that have supported Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression. Zelensky expressed hope for swift reports from American envoys in Moscow regarding the potential for continued dialogue, following the reduction of Trump’s initial 28-point plan to 20 items during discussions between American and Ukrainian officials in Florida.

“The future and next steps depend on these signals,” Zelensky told reporters in Dublin alongside Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin. He emphasized the urgent need for results, stating, “Our people die every day.” Zelensky expressed his willingness to meet with President Trump, contingent on the outcomes of the latest discussions.

Following months of frustration in efforts to cease hostilities, Trump has dispatched officials to garner support for his peace proposals. Meanwhile, Zelensky reported meeting with a Ukrainian delegation that returned from negotiations in Florida. Rubio noted progress had been made, but acknowledged that “there is still work to do.”

Zelensky indicated that the discussions in Florida were based on a document crafted during an earlier meeting in Geneva, which he described as now “finalized,” although he did not clarify what this entails. Ukrainian diplomats are working to ensure significant involvement from European partners in decision-making processes, and Zelensky warned against “Russian disinformation campaigns aimed at manipulating the negotiations.”

During his first official visit to Ireland, Zelensky met with political leaders and parliamentarians. While Ireland maintains a stance of official neutrality and is not a NATO member, it has supplied Ukraine with non-lethal military equipment. Since the conflict began, over 100,000 Ukrainians have relocated to Ireland.

While this week’s consultations may herald progress in the peace process, details remain scant, particularly regarding how representatives will bridge the gap between the two sides on fundamental issues such as territorial control. European officials have indicated that the road to peace will be long, asserting their desire to have their voices heard in light of Washington’s perceived dismissal of their concerns. They are also working towards establishing future security guarantees for Ukraine.

Zelensky was in Paris on Monday, where French President Emmanuel Macron reported having communicated with Vitkof. Conversations also took place with leaders from eight European nations, as well as high-ranking officials from the European Union and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Diplomats face significant challenges in reconciling Russian and Ukrainian positions and convincing both sides to make compromises. Key obstacles, including whether Kyiv should concede territory to Moscow and how to ensure Ukraine’s future security, remain unresolved. Zelensky is under immense pressure during one of the darkest periods of the war for his country. In addition to navigating diplomatic pressures, he must secure funding to keep Ukraine “afloat,” address a corruption scandal that has reached high levels within his government, and maintain military resistance against Russia.

Late Monday, the Kremlin claimed that Russian forces had captured the critical city of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine. However, Zelensky disputed this in Paris, stating that fighting continued in Pokrovsk on Monday. The Ukrainian General Staff also denied Russia’s claims, describing them as a propaganda tactic. The Ukrainian military is reportedly preparing additional logistical routes to supply troops in the area, according to a Facebook announcement.