Russia: Our progress in Ukraine strengthens our position in negotiations to end the war
The Kremlin asserted that the rapid field gains made by the Russian army on the fronts in Ukraine have substantially strengthened Moscow’s diplomatic position in the ongoing talks to end the war, noting that the new military reality is imposing itself on the negotiating table with the United States.
In a press statement, Yuri Ushakov, political advisor to the Russian president and a participant in the Russian-American talks, explained that “the nature and pace of the negotiations were directly influenced by the successes achieved by Russian forces on the battlefield in recent weeks.” He added that these military achievements have prompted foreign partners to reassess the paths to a peaceful settlement, making them more realistic and compatible with Russian demands.
Behind the scenes of the talks with the Trump administration
These statements come at a sensitive time, as international relations await the direction of the new US policy. Talks between the Russian side and envoys of US President-elect Donald Trump, Steve Witkopf and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, continued until early Wednesday. Despite the ongoing dialogue, the Kremlin confirmed that no final "compromise" had been reached, particularly regarding the issue of territorial concessions that Moscow considers an integral part of its sovereignty, as well as the issue of Ukraine's accession to NATO, which is a red line for the Russian leadership.
The field context and its strategic impact
Last month saw a marked acceleration in the pace of Russian advances in eastern Ukraine, specifically in the Donbas region, which constitutes the industrial heartland and the main strategic target of the Russian military operation since its inception in February 2022. Moscow insists that any political settlement must reflect the “new realities on the ground,” referring to the areas that Russian forces have seized and where they have held referendums to annex them.
Observers believe this advance on the ground gives President Vladimir Putin a strong bargaining chip, as he recently stated that Moscow is prepared to continue fighting until all its objectives are achieved if Kyiv and the West do not show flexibility in negotiations. This stance puts pressure on Western capitals, which are facing challenges in maintaining military and financial support for Ukraine at the same level as before.
The stance on the American plan and the future of the conflict
Regarding the American proposals, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified that Russia did not reject the American plan outright, but had reservations about specific clauses it deemed unacceptable in the revised version. Peskov emphasized, "We remain ready to hold meetings as many times as necessary to reach a peaceful settlement," stressing Moscow's commitment to the diplomatic path as long as it guarantees its national security interests.
These developments are of paramount importance both regionally and internationally, as any potential agreement to end this conflict—the worst in Europe since World War II—will reshape the continent's security architecture for decades to come. While the White House has expressed optimism about its plan, Russia's intransigence, based on its battlefield superiority, suggests that the path to peace remains fraught with complex challenges.
