A lengthy meeting between Vladimir Putin and a delegation sent by former US President Donald Trump has yielded no breakthrough in the Ukraine peace process. The talks, held in Moscow on Wednesday 3 December 2025, ended with the Russian president refusing to agree to the latest American-backed proposal.
VIP Treatment but No Compromise
The US envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, received the full VIP experience upon their arrival in Russia. This included a motorcade from the airport, lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a stroll around Red Square. However, the diplomatic tourism gave way to stark reality more than six hours later when talks finally began in the Kremlin.
It was already clear that the one thing they had come for—Russia's agreement to their peace plan—was not on offer. President Putin used the opportunity to lay blame on Europe, accusing Ukraine's allies of blocking peace by imposing conditions he called unacceptable to Moscow.
The Dual Reasons for Russian Intransigence
Analysts point to two primary reasons for Russia's unwavering position. Firstly, Moscow believes its military momentum grants it leverage. In a pointed message timed to the delegation's visit, Russia announced the apparent capture of Pokrovsk, a key strategic target in the Donetsk region.
This battlefield assertion is designed to reinforce, not dilute, Russian demands. Russia insists on returning to a 28-point plan that heavily favours its own objectives, a position it feels empowered to maintain due to recent gains.
A Strategy to Divide the West
The second reason stems from a perceived alignment of interests between Moscow and Washington. The Kremlin believes both capitals ultimately desire closer US-Russia relations, which can only be achieved after the war concludes. The conduct of recent negotiations appears to support this view.
While Ukrainian officials are required to travel to locations like Geneva or Florida for talks with Americans, the US delegation made the overnight journey to Moscow and endured a long wait for an audience with Putin. This dynamic, contrasting sharply with the approach towards Kyiv, creates an impression that the US prefers to placate rather than pressure Russia.
The Kremlin stated that both sides have agreed not to disclose the details of the discussions. For Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the outcome of the Moscow meeting is unlikely to be a source of hope, as the deadlock in the conflict continues.
