In Moscow, high-level discussions have taken center stage as Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner.
The nearly five-hour session was dedicated to finding a way forward in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, with NATO membership for Ukraine and territorial disputes topping the agenda.
NATO Membership Remains a Sensitive Topic
Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov confirmed that Ukraine’s potential NATO accession was one of the “key questions” on the table, though he kept details under wraps.
The discussions revolved around a U.S.-drafted peace plan, initially 28 points long, later condensed to 22 after preliminary talks in Geneva.
The plan reportedly includes provisions to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, but exact terms have not been disclosed.
Ushakov described the tone of the meeting as “very constructive,” noting that it began with cordial greetings from former President Trump’s representatives to Putin.
On the Russian side, Kirill Dmitriev, responsible for investment and economic cooperation, also participated in the talks.
The Donetsk Region Dispute
A key sticking point remains the 20 percent of the Donetsk People’s Republic still under Kyiv’s control.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that understanding which compromises Ukraine could accept while maintaining security guarantees is central to any agreement.
He explained, “What they are literally debating now is the space of approximately 30-50 kilometers and 20 percent of the Donetsk region.
We tried to determine what Ukrainians could live with, what would give them security guarantees for the future.”
Washington’s Mediator Role
Rubio stressed that while the U.S. plays a crucial role in facilitating discussions, it cannot impose a solution. “In the end, the decision is theirs.
If they choose not to end the war, it will continue. But we will attempt to bring it to a close,” he said.
The U.S. continues to act as a bridge between Moscow and Kyiv, emphasizing that meaningful progress requires both parties at the table.
Rubio also suggested that recent negotiations represent the closest the sides have come to an agreement in three years, though he cautioned that achieving a final settlement will remain difficult.
Looking Ahead
As Moscow discussions conclude, the world watches closely.
The next steps will depend on how Russia and Ukraine navigate compromises over NATO membership, territorial control, and security guarantees.
Meanwhile, Washington continues to weigh its role in mediating, balancing the push for peace with broader strategic priorities.
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