• U.S. representatives, led by special envoy Steven Witkoff, have signaled openness to Russian proposals in recent diplomatic talks, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
  • The discussions have produced a 28-point peace plan, though its contents remain fluid and face internal U.S. pushback.
  • European allies express concern over being sidelined as negotiations advance, with potential implications for sanctions policy and the broader strategic landscape.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described recent talks with representatives of the Trump administration as "very positive," stating that Americans have confirmed a willingness to take into account Russian considerations and key proposals. The discussions, which included Trump's special envoy Steven Witkoff, are part of a flurry of diplomatic activity aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

According to people familiar with the matter, the dialogue has resulted in the development of a detailed 28-point peace plan. However, the diplomatic effort has hit a snag. Following a meeting on December 2 between Witkoff and Russian officials, including Ushakov and another aide, Russia appeared poised to reject an updated version of the plan. This revised draft had removed some of the most contentious concessions favorable to Moscow that were in the original proposal.

The negotiations are unfolding against a backdrop of significant internal divisions within the U.S. administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and several U.S. Senators have called for Ukraine to be brought back into the negotiation process, arguing the current bilateral track sidelines a key party. Intelligence agencies may have leaked details of conversations between Witkoff and Russian officials, revealing the extent of the envoy's apparent willingness to accommodate Russian demands, according to sources briefed on the matter.

European leaders, meanwhile, are grappling with being sidelined. Ukraine is preparing to brief its European partners on the outcomes of the U.S. delegation's discussions, even as it readies for a new meeting with Trump. The shifting diplomatic ground is forcing a reassessment in European capitals, where officials recognize the post-election equilibrium has fundamentally changed. Rather than trying to steer Trump toward a harder line, some analysts suggest European leaders may need to adopt a more transactional stance to maintain influence.

Strategic implications are already becoming visible, particularly regarding sanctions. Some countries have quietly received exemptions from secondary sanctions on Russian oil purchases, and Russian energy giant Lukoil has been granted delays in divesting its foreign assets. Furthermore, the Trump administration appears unwilling to pressure China to cease purchasing Russian fossil fuels—a step many analysts see as essential to inflicting serious economic damage on Moscow.

Attempts to reach a spokesperson for the National Security Council for comment were not immediately successful. The situation remains highly dynamic, with competing diplomatic channels and internal disagreements ensuring that the path to any final settlement will be fraught and unpredictable.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the date of the meeting between Steven Witkoff and Russian officials. It was December 2.