Trump seeks Russia-Ukraine deal before July 4, but Putin holds firm on demands

US President Donald Trump’s efforts to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are facing significant obstacles, with peace talks deadlocked and fighting largely at a stalemate after four years of war.

Allies say the United States is pressing for a deal before the 250th anniversary of American independence on July 4, but there is no indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to accept a resolution that does not meet his core demands, according to senior European and NATO officials, Bloomberg reports.

The invasion, which began on February 24, 2022, has shown no sign of ending, diverging sharply from Putin’s initial plan to overthrow Kyiv’s leadership within days.

While Trump returned to the presidency in January 2025 pledging a swift end to Europe’s worst conflict since World War II, more than a year of US-led diplomacy has struggled over Moscow’s territorial claims in eastern Ukraine and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Three rounds of trilateral talks this year in Abu Dhabi and Geneva have yet to produce a breakthrough. Ukraine’s European allies, who largely fund weapons purchases for Kyiv, have been largely sidelined from negotiations.

Moscow and Washington appear locked in a contest to see who will blink first, with US special envoy Steven Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner leading the talks. Russia demands full control of lands in the eastern Donbas region, while the US seeks guarantees for Ukraine and a proposed free economic zone along the frontlines.

“Russia is fighting for its future,” Putin said during a Kremlin ceremony. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s position: “My message to Putin is simple: I am ready to meet. We must end the war. Period.” Ukraine rejects Russian withdrawal demands and insists any ceasefire be along existing frontlines.

Despite heavy casualties and economic strain, Russia has made minimal territorial gains, capturing less than 1% of Ukraine’s land over the past three years, according to conflict mapping service DeepState.

By Vafa Guliyeva