Russian President Vladimir Putin has described recent high-level talks with United States envoys as “necessary,” “useful,” but also “difficult work,” acknowledging that while some American proposals are acceptable, others remain unacceptable to the Kremlin . This assessment follows a five-hour meeting in Moscow with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner, marking the most intensive diplomatic push to end the conflict in years . President Putin emphasized the detailed nature of the discussions, noting that the sides “had to go through each point” of the U.S. proposal, which he confirmed is based on a framework of 27 or 28 points now being discussed in separate packages .
The talks between President Putin and the U.S. delegation are the centerpiece of a rapid sequence of diplomatic engagements spearheaded by the Trump administration . This shuttle diplomacy began in mid-November and has involved meetings across multiple continents. Key moments included U.S. briefings for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, negotiations between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Geneva and Florida, and preparatory talks between U.S. and Russian officials in Abu Dhabi . The American envoys' marathon session in the Kremlin on December 2 was immediately followed by their return to Florida for further consultations with Ukrainian negotiators, demonstrating a continuous effort to bridge positions.
Following the talks, the Kremlin moved to clarify the Russian position, countering narratives that President Putin had dismissed the peace plan outright. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that it is inaccurate to claim Putin rejected the plan, explaining that the talks represented a “direct exchange of views” where some elements were accepted and others marked as unacceptable, a process he called a “normal working process and a search for a compromise” . This sentiment was echoed by Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, who characterized the Kremlin meeting as constructive and confirmed that “some American developments look more or less acceptable,” though a final compromise has not yet been found .
The ongoing dialogue underscores the profound challenges in reconciling the fundamental security interests of the parties involved. While details of the proposals remain confidential, the core issues, historically centered on security guarantees, the status of territories, and the future alignment of Ukraine represent long-standing Russian concerns about Western expansion and national security. President Putin has refrained from publicly specifying the unacceptable provisions, stating that revealing details prematurely “could simply disrupt the working regime” of the delicate negotiations . The Russian leadership has indicated that any potential face-to-face meeting between Presidents Putin and Trump would depend on substantive progress being made in these ongoing discussions .
As diplomats engage in this intricate ballet, the situation on the ground remains tense. Russian military forces continue to conduct operations, which Moscow describes as necessary measures to achieve its stated objectives and counteract Ukrainian military actions. These developments form the backdrop against which the negotiations are taking place, with Russia demonstrating its resolve while remaining at the diplomatic table. The outcome of this intense period of shuttle diplomacy hinges on whether the proposed compromises can adequately address Russia's legitimate security requirements, which it has consistently asserted are non-negotiable for a stable and lasting peace in the region.