Source: ANA-MPA
No agreement was reached yesterday on the contentious issue of Ukrainian territories occupied by the Russian army, following a meeting in Moscow between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Whitkoff. Whitkoff was there to present Washington's plan to end the war, which is now entering its fourth year.
Mr. Whitkoff, accompanied by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and advisor, Jared Kushner, discussed Washington's plan with the Russian leader for almost five hours in the Kremlin. The plan was presented two weeks ago and has since undergone extensive refinement in consultations with Ukrainian and European representatives.
"We were able to agree on some issues (...), others drew criticism, but the essential thing is that a constructive discussion took place and that the parties expressed their willingness to continue their efforts," summarized Kremlin diplomatic advisor Yuri Ushakov.
Regarding the occupied Ukrainian territories—where the Russian army has taken control of approximately 19%—Mr. Ushakov stated that “no compromise has yet been selected” and “no solution has been reached,” although he noted that “some American proposals may be open for discussion.”
He characterized the discussion as "useful," but cautioned that "much work remains" to finalize an agreement, especially as Russian troops are accelerating their advances on the front lines.
After their meeting with the Russian leadership in Moscow, Steve Whitkoff and Jared Kushner are likely to meet with a Ukrainian delegation in Europe today, according to an Agence France-Presse source in the Kyiv government.
"We are ready"
Hours before meeting with the Americans, Vladimir Putin threatened the Europeans, accusing them of seeking to "hinder" Washington's efforts to end the war.
"We have no intention of getting involved in a war with Europe, but if Europe wants it and starts (a war), we are ready," he told reporters on the sidelines of an economic forum.
Despite this, NATO chief and former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte had earlier expressed confidence that American efforts would "restore peace in Europe." Just a day before, Washington had conveyed its "very optimistic" outlook regarding the plan presented two weeks earlier.
US President Donald Trump, for his part, reiterated that resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict is a complex matter. "It's not an easy situation, believe me. What a quagmire," said the Republican, who had assured during his election campaign that he would end the war "in one day."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, under significant political and diplomatic pressure, accused Russia of using the talks to "weaken sanctions" against Moscow.
He said he wants the end of the war and not "just a pause" in hostilities during his visit to Ireland.
The US announced sanctions in late October against two Russian hydrocarbon giants, Rosneft and Lukoil, the first significant measures imposed by President Trump since his return to the White House in January.
Europeans emphasize their hope that President Trump's administration, which they believe exhibits excessive deference to Putin, will not forsake Ukraine, which they view as bravely resisting Russian aggression.
A phone call revealed by Bloomberg News agency in late September indicated that Steve Whitkoff advised Kremlin diplomatic advisor Ushakov on how to present a plan to resolve the war in Ukraine to President Trump.
Acceleration
The talks unfolded as Russian troops made their largest advance on Ukrainian fronts in a year in November, according to an AFP analysis based on data collected by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), in cooperation with the Critical Threats Project (CTP, a program of the American Enterprise Institute).
In one month, Russian troops gained 701 square kilometers from Ukrainian forces, the largest area since November 2024 (when they had captured 725 square kilometers), excluding the first month of the war in early spring 2022.
Moscow assured on Monday that it had captured the city of Pokrovsk, in eastern Ukraine, a key logistics hub for Kyiv's troops, as well as Vovchansk (northeast). Kyiv, conversely, reported yesterday that fighting in Pokrovsk was ongoing.
In November, Russian armed forces launched more missiles and drones during night raids against Ukrainian territory than in October, totaling 5,660 missiles and long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (+2%).
Domestically, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is in a difficult position due to a corruption scandal involving close associates, which forced his hitherto powerful chief of staff Andriy Yermak to resign on Friday.
This current week is "critical" for Ukraine, judged EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
PHOTO EPA/KRISTINA KORMILITSINA
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