The latest round of high-stakes diplomacy aimed at ending the Ukraine war concluded in Moscow on Wednesday with little sign of tangible progress. After nearly five hours of discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, both sides described the talks as “constructive” yet admitted that no compromise had been reached.
The Kremlin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said the meeting was “very useful and substantive,” but emphasised that the parties had not settled on a “compromise version” of a peace plan. “A lot of work lies ahead,” he told reporters shortly after the delegation left the Kremlin.
The talks represent the most intensive engagement between Washington and Moscow since the leaked 28-point US peace plan triggered diplomatic shockwaves two weeks ago. That original proposal, widely criticised as favourable to Russia included recognition of Crimea and the separatist-held regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as Russian territories, restrictions on Ukraine’s military size, and the reintegration of Russia into the global economy.
A Divisive Proposal and a Flurry of Counterplans
Following the leak, Ukraine and several European allies pushed back forcefully, prompting what has become a fast-moving and, at times, fragmented diplomatic effort. A counter-proposal spearheaded by European governments removed the most contentious elements and affirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Washington and Kyiv subsequently met in Geneva and Florida to merge competing drafts.
Ushakov confirmed that Russia received not only a revised 28-point plan but also four additional documents from the US delegation. However, both sides have agreed to keep the details confidential, a decision that has fuelled speculation across Europe about the concessions being considered behind closed doors.
Russia’s position remains firm: proposed amendments from Ukraine and Europe are “not acceptable,” Putin reiterated earlier in the day. In stark language, he warned that while Moscow had no intention of conflict with Europe, Russia was “ready right now” if Europe “wants to go to war.”
US Silence and European Anxiety
Notably, the US, Ukraine, and European governments have yet to officially comment on the outcome of the Moscow meeting. Kyiv, which has been excluded from the face-to-face discussions in Moscow, is awaiting updates from Washington before determining next steps.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in Dublin after meeting Irish officials — said he is ready to engage with the American delegation “if we can count on real, specific dialogue, not just words.” He added that he is waiting for “signals” from Washington before deciding whether to meet Witkoff or US President Donald Trump in the coming days.
Across Europe, nerves are increasing. Diplomats fear a scenario in which Washington and Moscow negotiate a framework that sidelines Ukraine and dilutes European security interests a concern amplified by Russia’s increasingly assertive tone.
NATO Ministers Meet Amid Uncertainty
As news of the stalled talks filtered out of Moscow, NATO foreign ministers gathered in Brussels for a previously scheduled meeting. While the summit is expected to cover defence readiness and regional security, the Ukraine talks now dominate the agenda.
Officials in Brussels have privately expressed concern that the US-Russia channel may be moving faster than the wider coalition of Ukraine’s allies, risking fractures among Western partners at a pivotal moment in the war.
War Continues as Diplomacy Drags
Even as diplomats exchange documents and carve out negotiating language, the war on the ground shows no sign of slowing. Russian forces continue advancing in the Donetsk region, with Ukrainian civilians fleeing towns including Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka. Some soldiers returning to the front remain sceptical of the diplomatic push, calling the peace talks “just chatter.”
Ukraine’s top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported signs of “significant improvement” in the tactical position around Kupyansk, a rare optimistic note amid Russia’s claim to have seized Pokrovsk, a claim contested by Kyiv and international analysts.
The humanitarian pressure is growing too. Civilians describe worsening drone strikes, unstable access to basic supplies, and a mounting sense that time is running out to secure a ceasefire before winter conditions worsen.
A Fragile Opening or Another Stalemate?
For now, the Moscow talks appear to have created neither breakthrough nor breakdown, only a precarious middle ground. Analysts suggest Russia may be playing for time to consolidate battlefield gains, while Washington appears eager to present progress without conceding too much publicly.
Whether this moment becomes the beginning of a genuine negotiating process or merely another diplomatic dead-end will depend on what comes next in Brussels, Washington, and Kyiv.
