Progress in Ukraine peace talks hinges on Russia, say US and Kyiv officials

Top negotiators from the US and Ukraine said that their discussions on ending the war in Ukraine were constructive, but emphasized that progress ultimately depends on Russia’s willingness to engage.

“Real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia's readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings,” US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner said in a joint statement with Ukraine’s negotiators.

During the meeting, the two sides “agreed on the framework of security arrangements” and discussed deterrence measures.

Earlier talks in Moscow on December 2, however, did not result in a compromise on a potential peace deal in the nearly four-year conflict.

The two-day meeting between Witkoff and Kushner, and Ukraine’s national security secretary Rustem Umerov and Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov, marked the sixth round of negotiations over two weeks. The parties are scheduled to meet again in Florida today, December 6.

In their joint statement, the four officials stressed that Ukraine’s priority is “securing a settlement that protects its independence and sovereignty, ensures the safety of Ukrainians, and provides a stable foundation for a prosperous democratic future.”

They also discussed the US meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, as well as Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and economic initiatives with US support.

“Reaching a ceasefire and de-escalating tensions are needed to prevent renewed aggression and to enable Ukraine’s comprehensive redevelopment plan, designed to make the nation stronger and more prosperous than before the war,” they said.

At least two major issues remain unresolved between Moscow and Kyiv: the status of Ukrainian territory currently occupied by Russian forces, and the provision of security guarantees for Ukraine.

Witkoff spent nearly five hours in Moscow on Tuesday negotiating with Putin, in discussions that the Kremlin said produced “no compromise” on ending the war. Kushner, a businessman and former Trump adviser, was also present.

Trump described the talks as “reasonably good” but noted it was too early to predict the outcome.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “the world clearly feels that there is a real opportunity to end the war,” but stressed that negotiations must be “backed by pressure on Russia.”

By Tamilla Hasanova