Ukrainian President Zelensky to visit the United States after Putin-Trump meeting
U.S.-Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Stall Amid Disagreements
Peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have been renewed but remain stalled and contentious, as reported in late August 2025. Following meetings between Presidents Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelensky, negotiations resumed in 2025 since Trump took office again.
During the talks, both Trump and Putin signaled a willingness to discuss land transfers and security guarantees for Ukraine, with Putin expressing the need for Ukraine's security to be "ensured." However, the discussions have halted due to fundamental disagreements over key points such as territorial recognition, troop withdrawals, and security guarantees.
Russia insists on recognition of all occupied territory as Russian, guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO, and demands curtailing Ukraine's military, alongside lifting sanctions. On the other hand, Ukraine demands full Russian troop withdrawal, return of prisoners, prosecution of war crimes, and robust security guarantees to prevent future aggression. Europe tends to side with Ukraine, proposing a ceasefire supported by a "coalition of the willing" with troops on the ground, but Russia has rejected ceasefire calls.
The talks in Alaska were the first US-Russia summit since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin described the discussions as very frank and substantive, while Trump stated that Ukraine has to agree to any potential deal. Both leaders also expressed a desire for a peace settlement, with Trump stating that negotiators should go straight to a peace settlement, not via a ceasefire.
In addition to the peace talks, Trump also discussed other matters with Putin, including potential tariffs on China for buying Russian oil. Trump told Fox he would hold off on imposing tariffs but might reconsider in two or three weeks.
As the peace process remains at an impasse, both leaders ended their remarks after the summit with a suggestion of a potential future meeting in Moscow. European leaders were invited to attend Monday's meeting between Trump and Zelensky in Washington.
A statement from European leaders also stressed the need for Ukraine to have "ironclad security guarantees" and that no limits should be placed on its armed forces or right to seek NATO membership. The statement also highlighted the importance of holding Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine, including the Bucha massacre.
The stalled peace talks underscore the complex and contentious nature of the conflict in Ukraine, with deep divides on sovereignty, security, and accountability continuing to impede progress.
[1] Bucha massacre: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucha_massacre [2] European leaders statement: https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/european-leaders-stress-need-for-ukraine-to-have-ironclad-security-guarantees/
- Despite the stalled peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, both leaders expressed a desire for a peace settlement, with Trump suggesting that the negotiators should go straight to a peace settlement, not via a ceasefire.
- European leaders have emphasized the need for Ukraine to have "ironclad security guarantees" and highlighted the importance of holding Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine, such as the Bucha massacre, while proposing a ceasefire supported by a "coalition of the willing" with troops on the ground.
