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Russia resists U.S. push on Ukraine peace proposal
Russian officials have firmly dismissed claims that Moscow is making significant concessions on a proposed peace agreement for Ukraine, countering assertions by U.S. President Donald Trump of a potential breakthrough. Senior figures, including Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, have reiterated that Russia will not compromise on its core demands, even as diplomatic efforts between Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv intensify.
At the center of contention is an American-backed plan initially presented as a 28-point framework, later revised after consultations with Ukrainian and European officials. The original proposal faced criticism from Kyiv and European capitals, who viewed it as overly favorable to Moscow. It included controversial provisions on Ukraine's security limitations, territorial arrangements, and NATO membership prospects.
Trump’s administration has promoted the updated version as a “refined” framework addressing Kyiv's concerns while maintaining a realistic foundation for peace. U.S. officials claim that recent talks in Geneva have narrowed disagreements, reducing unresolved issues compared to the earlier draft. However, Moscow has shown little enthusiasm for the revisions and insists on preserving its strategic priorities.
The Kremlin has signaled only cautious interest in the plan. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reaffirmed that the original draft remains the only substantive document under consideration. Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov acknowledged parts of the U.S. proposal as potentially acceptable but emphasized the need for technical scrutiny, dismissing a European counter-proposal as unproductive.
President Trump has portrayed Russia as willing to halt military offensives and refrain from further territorial expansion if a deal is reached, presenting this as a significant concession. However, Russian leaders have publicly denied such commitments, stating that military operations will continue during negotiations and expressing satisfaction with the current military landscape.
Complicating the situation, a leaked recording of a call between Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov revealed unconventional back-channel tactics aimed at swaying Moscow. While Russian officials have not denied the leak’s authenticity, they framed it as an attempt to derail the negotiation process.
Despite setbacks, Trump’s team remains active, with Witkoff holding high-level talks in Moscow and senior U.S. officials engaging with Kyiv. The U.S. president has adjusted his earlier deadlines for Ukraine to accept the plan, adopting a more flexible timeline while insisting that his proposal is the only viable path to peace.
For now, the peace plan’s future remains uncertain, entangled in Washington’s push for resolution, Kyiv’s resistance to unfavorable concessions, and Moscow’s determination to secure its strategic gains. The divergence between public optimism and Russia’s firm stance suggests that meaningful progress toward a settlement is unlikely in the near term.