Diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict faced new hurdles this week as both sides hardened their positions. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated on Wednesday that Moscow will not compromise on core principles of its proposed peace plan, while Ukrainian officials firmly rejected any constitutional amendments as part of negotiations.
U.S. Involvement Draws Scrutiny
The Trump administration's mediation efforts have sparked debate in Washington, with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell cautioning against agreements that might reward Russian aggression. This comes as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff prepares for talks in Moscow next week, joined by senior advisor Jared Kushner.
Red Lines Clarified
Oleksandr Bevz, a key Ukrainian negotiator, emphasized to Interfax-Ukraine that maintaining territorial integrity and constitutional sovereignty remain non-negotiable. "Any resolution must respect Ukraine's existing administrative boundaries and be finalized at the leadership level," he stated.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described current discussions as preliminary, telling reporters: "It's too early to speak of concrete outcomes." Russian officials confirmed plans for continued dialogue but ruled out significant policy shifts.
With both sides maintaining firm positions, analysts suggest the conflict may enter a prolonged diplomatic phase as international stakeholders weigh next steps.
