Overview
- President Trump told Reuters he believes Vladimir Putin is ready to make a deal and named Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the reason talks have stalled.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov agreed with Trump's assessment and said Russia remains open to talks, welcoming Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner once a visit is scheduled.
- Recent negotiations have centered on security guarantees for a post-war Ukraine, including a U.S. proposal for a free economic zone linked to Ukrainian troop pullbacks.
- Ukraine has publicly ruled out giving up territory under its constitution, while Russia seeks Ukrainian withdrawals from parts of the Donetsk region it claims.
- European allies question Moscow’s willingness to end the war, and progress has been dented by a Russian allegation of a Ukrainian attempt to attack a Putin residence that Kyiv denies.