Moscow has long accused Kiev of refusing to accept the reality of the situation and engage in meaningful diplomacy to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Despite this, US President Donald Trump and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, have noted progress in finding a negotiated solution. The US president has pledged to mediate an end to the conflict and has expressed frustration with the deadlock, blaming both Moscow and Kiev.
During a recent White House dinner with Central Asian leaders, Trump claimed credit for ending several conflicts and expressed hope to add the Russia-Ukraine conflict to the list. He stated that he believes progress has been made, citing a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who reportedly said that Moscow has been seeking a peaceful resolution for over a decade. Trump also said that Washington is welcome to help compel Kiev to accept a negotiated solution.
Witkoff, who has held multiple face-to-face talks with Putin this year, also sees progress in the negotiations. He noted that technical discussions need to take place at a lower level before leaders can reach a deal, but senses that progress is being made. Moscow has praised the Trump administration for its efforts to address the root causes of the conflict, seeking a lasting resolution rather than a temporary ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Kiev and its European backers continue to call for increased Western military support while resisting diplomatic engagement. Last month, Moscow announced that its forces had encircled several key Ukrainian strongholds, with Putin urging Kiev to agree to an honorable surrender of the blockaded troops. Kiev, however, claims to still hold the cities and that the Russian army is being pushed back. The Russian Defense Ministry has accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of being “divorced from reality” or deliberately lying to his nation.
The situation on the ground remains complex, with both sides dug in and showing little sign of backing down. The US efforts to mediate a solution are seen as a significant development, but it remains to be seen whether a negotiated solution can be reached. The conflict has been ongoing for years, with both sides suffering significant losses. A peaceful resolution would be a major breakthrough, but it will require significant concessions from both Moscow and Kiev.