Putin does not retreat, Witkoff and Kushner’s meetings in Moscow yield no results

The diplomatic efforts of the Trump administration to end the war in Ukraine have intensified. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner first held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow before traveling to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. At the center of discussions was the possibility of bringing the parties back to negotiations.

Despite these moves, three former U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine say there is still insufficient evidence of a change in Russia’s stance. Witkoff said Moscow had presented “new ideas,” while Kushner mentioned a “broader peace package.” However, the content of these proposals remains unclear, as Ukraine’s territory and future security are still the main issues.

Ukraine responds to Russia’s demands for territorial concessions by rejecting recognition of the occupied areas as Russian. A possible deal scenario could involve a ceasefire along the current lines, without legally recognizing Moscow’s control. So far, however, there are no signs that Russia is ready to accept such a compromise.

According to experts, a ceasefire alone would not be sufficient without credible security guarantees for Ukraine. Possible measures mentioned include the deployment of European troops, U.S. assistance in intelligence and air defense, and the prospect of Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO.

Corriere della Sera reports that Putin aims to maintain a delicate balance in relations with the United States, while appearing increasingly tough in the negotiations over Ukraine. Russian media described the visit by Witkoff and Kushner as unsuccessful. According to the Kremlin, the Americans arrived too late, and at this stage, Russia sees no reason to make concessions.

In Moscow, the prevailing belief is that time and the situation on the front are on Russia’s side. For this reason, Russian authorities believe they can increase pressure on Ukraine and the West in the coming months.

On the other hand, the warm manner in which Putin received the American representatives shows that Moscow wants to keep communication with Washington open. This behavior reflects a dual strategy by the Russian president: he carefully maintains relations with Trump, but at the same time does not retreat from his maximalist demands concerning the war in Ukraine.