Territory Remains Main Obstacle to Ukraine-Russia Deal, Kushner Says

Territorial disputes remain the central obstacle preventing Ukraine and Russia from reaching an agreement to end the war, US presidential special envoy Jared Kushner said on Sunday during the Yalta European Strategy (YES 2026) forum in Kyiv. Addressing conference participants, Kushner explained that while mediators have assembled frameworks covering nearly all other facets of a prospective settlement, the division over frontlines and sovereign borders has stalled diplomatic efforts.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. He stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had detailed Moscow’s specific territorial objectives during recent Kremlin consultations, but Ukraine firmly refuses to make concessions or pull back its military forces. “The main issue will be territories, and that is precisely where the sides have not yet reached an agreement,” Kushner said, as reported by Ukrinform. “President Putin laid out his position regarding what he wants to achieve. If Ukraine wanted to retreat to that line, we would have already prepared and agreed on the remaining terms of the deal. Currently, Ukraine does not want to do this. And our task as mediators is to figure out how we can find a creative solution that does not contradict their desires, helps them achieve their goals, and compels Russia to end the conflict so both sides can move forward within a framework that prevents a recurrence.” Kushner did not address the widespread war crimes committed by Russian occupation forces or the legal question of Russian accountability for launching the full-scale invasion. Instead, he characterized both nations as enduring “a lot of pain” and asserted that both Kyiv and Moscow harbor a determination to bring fighting to an end. Other Topics of Interest Hard Times Ahead: Russian Attacks put Ukraine’s Finances Under Pressure The war is now costing Ukraine around $190 million a day, compared to $140 million a day in 2024. “President Trump is very, very committed to this cause. Steve [Witkoff] and I are very committed. President Zelensky is very committed. From what we have seen and heard, President Putin is also very committed to this cause,” Kushner claimed. “It is simply a matter of finding the right formula that will hopefully satisfy everyone to move forward.” Pre-winter ceasefire uncertainty and security guarantees Asked whether a cessation of hostilities could be achieved before the onset of winter, Kushner gave a cautious response, acknowledging that diverse ideas have been floated by multiple actors without achieving a diplomatic breakthrough. Kushner detailed that diplomatic discussions over recent months have concentrated extensively on future security architecture and security guarantees designed to assure Ukraine that any cessation of combat represents an enduring peace rather than an operational pause for Moscow to regroup. He stressed that sovereignty, security, and economic prosperity form the three non-negotiable pillars of any just outcome for Ukraine. Kushner revealed that during previous trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi, delegations from Ukraine, the US, and Russia finalized practical mechanisms for conflict prevention and ceasefire verification involving military personnel. He stated that this monitoring structure is engineered to take effect the moment political leadership resolves the territorial dispute. “We have developed a monitoring mechanism that involves the military, and everyone agrees that once there is a definitive resolution regarding frontlines or territorial issues, a mechanism will exist that everyone can hopefully abide by,” Kushner explained. “I think this is something that satisfies both sides, representing genuine progress in that regard.” Post-war prosperity as an incentive for lasting peace Outlining subsequent stages of the US diplomatic initiative, Kushner argued that long-term stability must be anchored in economic prosperity and mutual financial incentives. He contended that both Ukraine and Russia should leverage a post-war settlement to attract international capital, create jobs, and raise living standards, suggesting that societal economic interest in stability serves as the most effective defense against renewed conflict. “When you end a war, people must have something to look forward to,” Kushner said, asserting that President Trump shares this philosophy. “Both countries need to consider how they can seize this opportunity after the war to attract investments, create employment, provide greater prosperity, and increase incomes. That is what motivates societies to invest in and feel enthusiastic about peace. In many ways, it becomes your greatest security guarantee. If everyone lives well and maintains a personal stake in security, it will hopefully produce something durable and sustainable.” Kushner’s remarks arrive following multi-stage consultations held in Kyiv on Sept. 6 alongside fellow envoy Steve Witkoff and European national security advisers, which succeeded a three-hour meeting with Putin in Moscow. During those talks, Putin insisted on achieving his stated war aims, with Kremlin insiders reiterating that Moscow will refuse any frontline ceasefire until Russian forces capture the entire Donbas. President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior Ukrainian officials have categorically dismissed territorial concessions as unacceptable capitulation, maintaining that restoring territorial integrity and securing legally binding Western defense guarantees remain indispensable to any durable settlement. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. 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