Sun Dec 07 17:43:57 UTC 2025: Headline: Ukraine Peace Deal “Really Close” But Stalled on Key Issues, Says Outgoing U.S. Envoy

Moscow, December 7, 2025 – Hopes for a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remain high, but obstacles persist, according to outgoing U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg. Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum on Saturday, Kellogg stated a peace deal was “really, really close,” with efforts entering the “last 10 metres.” However, the Kremlin has indicated that significant changes to U.S. proposals are necessary for any agreement to be reached.

The two primary sticking points are the future of the Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control. Russia insists on maintaining control over the entire Donbas, while Ukraine considers ceding more territory illegal without a referendum, fearing it would provide Russia with a base for future attacks.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov emphasized the need for the United States to make “radical changes” to their proposed peace framework. These comments followed a four-hour Kremlin meeting last week between President Putin, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, who the Kremlin believes is leading the U.S. negotiation efforts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed a “substantive” call with Witkoff and Kushner on Saturday.

The war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022 following eight years of conflict in the Donbas, has resulted in horrific casualties. Kellogg estimates over 2 million combined casualties for both sides. Russia currently controls approximately 19.2% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, Luhansk, and significant portions of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

Earlier this month, a draft of U.S. peace proposals leaked, causing concern among Ukrainian and European officials, who felt the proposals conceded too much to Russia. These proposals included Russia maintaining control of one-fifth of Ukraine.

Kellogg is set to step down in January. The future of negotiations remains uncertain as both sides continue to navigate these critical issues.

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