US Ambassador Steve Witkoff holds talks with Putin in Moscow prior to the forthcoming US deadline
Russia and Ukraine's peace talks are at a critical juncture, with the upcoming summit between US President Trump and Russian President Putin in Alaska scheduled for August 15, 2025, serving as the key diplomatic event.
The current status of negotiations remains stalled and contentious, with both sides diverging on fundamental issues. Following US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s recent visits to Russia, Putin offered to freeze the frontline in some areas (Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts) and made demands including Ukraine’s withdrawal from most of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as ceding Crimea to Russia. However, Ukraine strongly rejected these terms, particularly any unilateral territorial concessions.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy insists that Ukraine will not cede territory or accept restrictions on its sovereignty and military, maintaining the need for Ukraine’s direct involvement in any talks. Meanwhile, Russia maintains tough conditions for a ceasefire, wanting Ukraine to give up certain eastern regions and Crimea as conditions for a ceasefire.
The ongoing peace talks are a significant focus of Witkoff’s visits to Russia, which have taken place four times in recent months, including a meeting with Putin on April 25 in Moscow. Witkoff’s visits are part of an effort to rebuild ties with Moscow and put pressure on Putin regarding the Ukraine war.
Despite Moscow’s continued military offensive, both sides remain engaged in diplomatic maneuvers. The US is facilitating talks via Trump and Putin’s upcoming Alaska meeting, which aims to discuss a ceasefire and long-term peace options, although no breakthrough is expected due to the wide gap in demands.
However, Putin has dismissed US frustration over stalled negotiations, attributing it to excessive expectations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov considers interactions with Witkoff important, substantive, and very useful. Steve Witkoff was greeted at Vnukovo airport on Wednesday by Kirill Dmitriev, a senior Russian official with close ties to Putin’s family.
Trump’s criticism of Moscow’s repeated drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities has become increasingly pointed. If no agreement is reached before Friday, new sanctions may be imposed. State media published videos of Putin and Witkoff, accompanied by security staff, walking through Zaryadye Park next to the Kremlin, following their meeting on Wednesday.
The outcome of the peace talks remains uncertain as of early August 2025, with both sides holding firm to their positions. The upcoming summit in Alaska will be a crucial test of diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine continue, with ongoing peace talks serving as a significant focus. However, politics surrounding the negotiations remain stalled and contentious, as both sides maintain their demanding positions, with Ukraine refusing territorial concessions and Russia insisting on Ukraine's withdrawal from certain regions and Crimea.
While the upcoming summit between US President Trump and Russian President Putin in Alaska may offer a key diplomatic event, a breakthrough in negotiations is not expected due to the wide gap in demands, and the outcome of the peace talks remains uncertain.
