High-stakes negotiations between Russian and U.S. officials ended late Tuesday without resolving the ongoing Ukraine conflict, leaving diplomatic efforts in limbo as fighting continues. The December 2 Kremlin meeting – attended by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner – lasted nearly five hours but failed to bridge key divides.
Territorial Tensions Take Center Stage
While both sides called the talks "constructive," Russian officials confirmed discussions about territorial disputes without revealing specifics. Multiple peace framework proposals were reviewed, but Moscow rejected several U.S. ideas while accepting others. 🇷🇺🤝🇺🇸
Putin Slams European Proposals
The Russian president criticized European amendments to the original U.S. peace plan as "unacceptable," accusing EU states of trying to sabotage negotiations. "We’re ready for dialogue, not ultimatums," Putin stated, while maintaining Russia’s military readiness.
Zelenskyy Demands Transparency
Ukraine’s leader, monitoring talks from Ireland, stressed on social media: "No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine!" He identified territory disputes and security guarantees as critical unresolved issues requiring open discussion. 💬
Battlefield Claims Clash
As diplomats talked, both sides made competing battlefield claims. Russia announced new territorial gains, while Ukraine reported successfully countering advances near Kupyansk. With foreign journalists being invited to conflict zones, the information war intensifies alongside actual combat. 💥
