Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, said Washington continues to work toward a settlement to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting that Moscow has clearly outlined what it seeks to achieve, while Kyiv remains unwilling to accept Russia’s conditions at this stage.
Kushner made the remarks in a video address to the Yalta European Strategy conference in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
Kushner: Moscow Has Clearly Defined Its Demands
Kushner said Russia had clearly established the “boundaries of what it wants to achieve,” adding that if Ukraine were to accept those parameters, it could open the way toward reaching an agreement on the remaining elements of a settlement.
He acknowledged that Kyiv is not prepared to take that step at present, stressing that the role of U.S. mediators is to seek an innovative solution that does not conflict with the interests of either side and allows both parties to achieve their objectives.
Kushner said mediation efforts have made significant progress and that work would continue to develop the various components of a potential settlement so that agreements could be implemented when the necessary political conditions and readiness are in place.
Trump, Putin and Zelensky Remain Committed to a Settlement
Assessing the negotiations, Kushner said the main parties involved remain committed to finding a path toward resolving the conflict.
He said President Donald Trump and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff remain committed to the effort, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also committed to pursuing a settlement. Kushner added that, based on what he had heard and concluded from recent contacts, Russian President Vladimir Putin also appeared committed to seeking a resolution.
He said the main challenge is finding the right formula that can gain acceptance from the parties and allow negotiations to move forward toward an agreement.
Kushner Outlines Two Conditions for a Successful Agreement
Kushner said the success of peace agreements and political settlements largely depends on two factors: detailed and careful preparation of the agreement, and the ability to take advantage of the right moment to conclude it.
He explained that reaching an agreement requires extensive consultations with the parties involved, developing a clear framework for a settlement and then working to create the conditions necessary for its implementation.
Kushner noted that a favorable political moment arriving before preparations are complete may not be enough to secure an agreement. Likewise, completing the preparations without the necessary political momentum may fail to produce the desired outcome.
New Ideas Following Visits to Moscow and Kyiv
Kushner revealed that his recent visits to Moscow and Kyiv with Steve Witkoff resulted in several new ideas, expressing hope that they could soon be discussed during trilateral talks involving representatives of Russia, the United States and Ukraine.
He said efforts are currently underway to arrange such a meeting and discuss proposals that emerged during the latest contacts.
The remarks come as the Trump administration continues its efforts to seek a settlement to the Ukraine conflict, following a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Witkoff and Kushner in Moscow, followed by the U.S. envoys’ visit to Kyiv and their meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov previously described the talks in Moscow as productive and conducted in a trusting atmosphere, saying the two sides discussed possible ways to resolve the conflict.
Ushakov added that Putin emphasized the need to address the root causes of the conflict, while also discussing developments on the battlefield and the situation in areas affected by the ongoing military operations.
