The Kremlin has signaled that diplomatic efforts to end the war will face a continued deadlock unless Ukraine agrees to a total military withdrawal from the Donbas region.
Speaking to Russian state media, Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov emphasized that Russia’s stance on territorial control remains unchanged. “A settlement in Ukraine without the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) from Donbas will stand still even after 10 rounds of negotiations,” Ushakov stated, adding that he believes Kyiv will eventually be forced to “realize” this necessity.
Confidence in US mediation
Despite the harsh rhetoric regarding territorial concessions, the Kremlin appears to remain open to the diplomatic channel established by the Trump administration.
Ushakov specifically mentioned Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, stating he is “convinced” they will visit Moscow again to continue the dialogue.
The Kremlin aide noted that Russia does not believe the US has decided to leave the “Ukrainian issue” unresolved, despite shifting focus toward Middle Eastern tensions in recent weeks.
The demand for a withdrawal from Donbas remains one of the most contentious “sticking points” in the ongoing peace process.
Current discussions between Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov and US officials have focused on a 20-point framework, but the issues of territorial sovereignty and the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant continue to hinder a definitive breakthrough.
Trump’s peace push
Ushakov’s comments follow US President Donald Trump’s recent declaration that he is prepared to send a high-level US delegation directly to Moscow to end the “madness” of the conflict. Trump has cited staggering monthly casualty figures – estimated at 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers – as the primary humanitarian driver for a swift resolution.
While the Kremlin demands a phone call from President Zelensky to initiate direct talks, and Slovak PM Robert Fico continues to act as a regional intermediary, the insistence on a Donbas withdrawal suggests that the road to a formal agreement remains fraught with fundamental disagreements.
The current three-day ceasefire, intended to facilitate a 2,000-person prisoner exchange, is set to expire on May 11, leaving a narrow window for these diplomatic “signals” to translate into a lasting truce.
