Trump had assured that Russia was cooperating, offering “a promise to stop fighting”, after Ukraine was forced to weigh monumental concessions presented in draft.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday that the talks with the US in Abu Dhabi this week did not discuss peace terms at all. He said they still require “serious analysis”.
Who are the key players in the Ukraine peace talks?
The latest talks to end the war in Ukraine have already been filled with controversy, contradiction and uncertainty.
From the blacklisted businessman, to the former film producer and the ex-soldier - These are the key players involved in bringing peace back to Europe:
James Reynolds26 November 2025 16:05
Russia must slash army to end war, says Kallas
Russia's army and military budget should be curbed to make sure the war in Ukraine really ends, EU's foreign chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday.
"If we want to prevent this war to continue, then actually we should curb the army of Russia and also their military budget," Kallas said.
The rival peace deals waved since last week have only addressed the size of Ukraine’s military.
Kallas said that any peace agreement must include concessions from Russia - after its deputy foreign minister said it was yet to compromise on any key issues.
James Reynolds26 November 2025 15:47
Trump envoy Witkoff coached Russian official on how to praise US president, leaked call reveals
Read the full story:
James Reynolds26 November 2025 15:06
Sweden urges EU to move forward with 20th sanctions package
Sweden wants the European Union to immediately proceed with a 20th sanctions package to increase pressure on Russia, Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said on Wednesday.
"A 20th package of sanctions must hit Russian energy revenues even harder, as they are the main source of funding for the war," Stenergard told reporters.
She said she would also welcome the United States introducing more sanctions on Russia.
James Reynolds26 November 2025 14:29
US peace plan for Ukraine drew from Russian document, sources say
The US-backed plan to end the war in Ukraine drew from a Russian-authored paper submitted to the Trump administration in October, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
The Russians shared the paper, which outlined Moscow's conditions for ending the war, with senior US officials following a meeting between Trump and Zelensky, the sources said.
The paper contained language that the Russian government had previously put forward at the negotiating table, including concessions that Ukraine had rejected such as ceding a significant chunk of its territory in the east.
Since the peace plan was first reported by Axios last week, skepticism has mounted among U.S. officials and lawmakers, many of whom see the plan as a list of Russian positions and not a serious proposal.
James Reynolds26 November 2025 14:00
Ukraine has tried to bounce US into a peace deal - but Putin is still in charge
The latest round of talks about peace may be drifting Ukraine’s way but Russia is still very active behind the scenes, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley:
James Reynolds26 November 2025 13:31
Where do things stand?
- The Trump administration shared a 28-point peace plan last week seen to favour Russia. Trump subsequently gave Ukraine a deadline of this Thursday, 27 November, to agree to a deal.
- Europe rallied around Ukraine, offering a revised version based on Trump’s plan, more balanced towards Ukraine’s concerns around security.
- Trump has since waived his Thursday deadline.
- People briefed on talks between Ukraine and the US in Geneva said the 28 points had been whittled down to 19 on Monday.
- Ukraine said it had agreed to a deal in principle on Tuesday. There are still some fine details to address, Kyiv has signalled.
- Russia will still have to agree to any deal, and says the US draft is the only proposal with legs.
- US officials met with Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi on Monday and Tuesday ostensibly for peace talks - but a Kremlin aide said the peace plan did not come up.
James Reynolds26 November 2025 13:00
As Zelensky heads to Washington DC, could a Ukraine peace deal be in reach?
Is this latest meeting a sign of Trump’s impatience, or could an outline agreement really be close? Sean O’Grady looks at the prospects:
James Reynolds26 November 2025 12:28
Russia rejects Trump's claim on 'concessions'
Russia outright rejected Donald Trump’s claims that it was making concessions on a Ukraine peace deal on Wednesday in a staggering setback for diplomacy.
Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, said that there are no concessions from Russia on key issues on a Ukraine settlement.
Trump had earlier assured that progress was being made as Russia was “making concessions”, left unspecified.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday that parts of the latest offer seemed “positive” but still needed analysis.
He said Russia had not yet discussed it with anyone.
The United States and Europe have spent days trying to finesse a peace deal, with Kyiv agreeing to a proposal in principle on Tuesday.
James Reynolds26 November 2025 12:00
France arrests four people, including two Russians, suspected of espionage
French police have arrested four people, two of whom have Russian nationality, on suspicion of spying for a foreign power.
Officials identified one of the individuals as Anna N, a dual French-Russian national who has been under the surveillance of France's DGSI domestic intelligence agency since January.
She was suspected of having approached executives at French companies to obtain information about French economic interests, they said.
James Reynolds26 November 2025 11:33
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