Brussels – The protracted peace negotiations brokered by U.S. special envoy Jared Kushner between Russia and Ukraine entered a new phase of deadlock on Wednesday as European leaders sought alternatives while NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte voiced unwavering confidence in the Trump administration’s leadership.
According to De Standaard reports, top Russian diplomat Yuri Ushakov stated Tuesday that the ongoing diplomatic efforts had yet to reach a “solution,” expressing concerns about Russia’s position. These comments were issued shortly after European powers reportedly deemed several American-backed proposals “absolutely unacceptable.”
While Russia rejected Kushner’s latest initiatives in Moscow, Rutte, addressing fellow NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, firmly asserted that President Donald Trump alone possesses the diplomatic clout essential for resolving the conflict.
“You have to discuss it,” Rutte acknowledged during a news conference regarding the step-by-step approach required. “But you also need a person who has the authority and understanding on both sides.”
The complex negotiations followed Trump administration’s initial 28-point peace plan last month, which Ukraine reportedly rejected as heavily favoring Russia.
“We saw the meetings in Geneva,” Rutte confirmed. “Now we see them yesterday in Moscow – it is being discussed step by step.”
Rutte refrained from commenting further on the content of the negotiations or offering specific insights into how positions might be bridged, insisting that he and the United States wish to avoid complicating what should remain a focused process.
Despite the complexities surrounding Ukraine’s stance during talks in Geneva, Rutte emphasized continuity with previous proposals, suggesting they align with broader alliance objectives for peace.
