Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told Interfax that Russia sees no point in a new round of trilateral talks to end the war until Ukraine withdraws its troops from the Donbas:
Everyone understands — including, I would say, the Ukrainian negotiators — that Kyiv now needs to take just one serious step, after which, first, military operations will be suspended, and second, the sides can begin substantive discussions toward a long-term settlement. (citing Interfax)
Until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agrees to withdraw troops, Ushakov added, “trying to persuade each other is largely a waste of time.”
U.S.-mediated talks to end the Russia–Ukraine war have been on pause since late February. American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are now focused on brokering an end to the war with Iran that Donald Trump launched — leaving the Ukraine talks in limbo.
Before the pause, the parties had resolved nearly all technical issues. The main sticking point was the status of the Donbas: Russia demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the portions of the Donetsk region under Kyiv’s control, while Kyiv insisted on a ceasefire along the current line of contact. With U.S. involvement, the sides were also exploring alternative arrangements, including the creation of a free economic demilitarized zone in the Donbas.
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