Russia has announced its readiness to halt negotiations with Ukraine unless Kyiv agrees to territorial concessions, particularly concerning the Donetsk region. The next round of talks, scheduled for March 4-5, could be pivotal in determining the future of a potential peace agreement.
According to sources close to the Kremlin, Russia is prepared to sign a draft memorandum for peace if Ukraine withdraws its forces from the entirety of the Donetsk region. Should Ukraine comply, a summit involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is anticipated to formalize the agreement and initiate a mutual military withdrawal.
Furthermore, Russia has reportedly expressed willingness to pull back its troops from Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions, while also relinquishing claims over Ukrainian-controlled areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. However, Moscow insists on maintaining its national guard presence in the occupied territories, whereas the U.S. has proposed establishing a free economic zone under Ukrainian jurisdiction in these areas.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated that fortified positions in Donetsk are critical for national defense and that Kyiv will not recognize the illegal occupation of its territories. Ukraine advocates for a ceasefire along the current front lines and insists on regaining its territories solely through diplomatic means, contingent upon robust security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe.
Negotiating teams have convened multiple times in Abu Dhabi and Geneva. U.S. representatives, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have discussed a post-war recovery investment package with Ukraine. Russia has made it clear that further discussions are futile without territorial concessions from Kyiv.
Another significant topic in the negotiations is the fate of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Russia proposes a division of electricity generation among Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine, while Kyiv insists on a 50-50 split with the U.S.
Additionally, the possibility of providing Ukraine with security guarantees akin to NATO’s Article 5 has been a point of discussion, as mentioned by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff following a summit in Alaska.
As diplomatic maneuvers unfold between Kyiv and Washington, a sense of urgency has emerged, particularly surrounding President Trump’s ambitious deadline. In a recent phone call with Zelensky, Trump expressed a strong desire to end the conflict within a month. This request aligns with the White House’s strategic goal to finalize a peace agreement by July 4, the 250th anniversary of American independence.
While officials are discussing timelines, March 2026 is increasingly viewed as a realistic window for reaching agreements with Russia. Ukraine aims to leverage Trump’s political influence and American mediation to expedite the process and secure favorable terms.
Despite the fast-paced negotiations and pressure from Washington, Zelensky remains cautious in his expectations. Assessing the current state of document preparations, the Ukrainian president noted that while work is ongoing, substantial progress is still lacking for a final outcome.
Russia has set conditions for peace negotiations with Ukraine, emphasizing territorial concessions as crucial. As diplomatic discussions continue, the urgency for a resolution grows amid strategic goals from both sides.