Kushner says Ukraine's refusal to cede Donbas stalls peace negotiations

U.S. senior adviser Jared Kushner told participants at the Yalta European Strategy conference on Sept. 11 that Ukraine’s unwillingness to withdraw to the line proposed by President Vladimir Putin is preventing a settlement of the conflict. He said Putin had outlined Russia’s demand that Ukraine cede parts of the Donbas region, a claim that Kyiv has rejected.

Kushner said the United States is acting as a mediator and is working on a “creative solution” that would safeguard Ukrainian interests while encouraging Russia to end hostilities. He urged both sides to move beyond the territorial issue and explore post-war economic development opportunities.

The Kremlin has repeatedly refused a ceasefire that would maintain the current front line and has insisted on the return of occupied Donbas territory, a demand Kyiv says it will not meet. Instead, Ukraine is seeking a ceasefire along existing positions and security guarantees from Western allies.

Kushner indicated that the United States will announce further steps in the negotiations in the coming weeks. His comments followed a recent visit to Moscow and Kyiv by him and fellow Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, during which revised peace proposals were presented but no agreement was reached. President Volodymyr Zelensky later said he expects the war to continue into the winter months.