Putin does not plan peace talks without seizing the rest of Donbas — Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention of returning to peace talks until Russian troops capture the rest of Donbas. This position was described to Reuters by sources familiar with the Russian side’s views and the course of diplomatic contacts.

Meanwhile, Ukraine rejects any further territorial concessions. Kyiv has repeatedly said it is ready to consider a ceasefire along the current front line as a possible basis for a peace settlement. Despite ongoing diplomatic contacts, the opposing positions on territory remain the main obstacle to reaching an agreement.

A source close to the Kremlin explained that the part of Donbas yet to be captured amounts to approximately 11% of the region’s territory. Moscow could present taking control of it to the Russian public as a victory.

The meeting in Miami lasted several hours, but the Ukrainian delegation concluded it without making any official commitments. At the same time, representatives of Kyiv indicated they were ready to consider a mutual halt to strikes on energy infrastructure, provided that Russia agreed to abide by similar restrictions.

During the talks, the Ukrainian delegation was told that Moscow was not yet showing readiness to reach an agreement. The message came from representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump:

• Steve Witkoff — the U.S. president’s special envoy;
• Jared Kushner — Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

Security guarantees for Ukraine were among the topics discussed at the meeting. Specific proposals and possible mechanisms for implementing them were not publicly disclosed.

The participants also discussed Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction: where to secure funding for rebuilding and why official plans for attracting foreign investment need to be prepared.

One tool Washington is counting on to influence the Kremlin’s position is the so-called “diesel deal.” Donald Trump announced it late last week. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner view the diesel supply agreement as an attempt to create conditions for resuming peace talks.

According to sources familiar with the talks, the fuel deal is not a separate agreement outside the peace process; it is only part of a broader U.S. diplomatic initiative aimed at bringing Ukraine and Russia back to the negotiating table.

We previously reported:

• Putin is ready to halt strikes on Ukraine only on election day
• Russia demands all of Donbas: Rubio sees no prospect of ending the war through negotiations
• Putin refuses to compromise: Kremlin demands four regions and Ukraine’s renunciation of NATO
• I want Donbas, Crimea, and to be left alone: Putin outlines his “peace plan”
• “We will not leave Donbas,” Zelenskyy draws a red line and signals readiness for an “all for all” exchange