Overview
- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told ABC News the sides are "on the verge" of a diplomatic solution and said Moscow is prepared to reach a deal.
- U.S. administration officials, speaking anonymously, said "literally 90%" of issues in the talks have been resolved, signaling unusual optimism.
- Ryabkov reiterated that Russia will not compromise on control of Crimea and the four partially occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
- He also ruled out any agreement that permits NATO or other Western troops on Ukrainian territory as part of post-war security arrangements.
- Ukraine has repeatedly rejected territorial concessions, leaving the core disputes over land and security guarantees unresolved despite the reported progress.