US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized during a congressional hearing that American mediators Steve Withoff and Jared Kushner will not participate in the next round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Rubio clarified that while other US representatives may be present, these key figures will be absent.
This absence indicates that the upcoming negotiations are viewed as mainly technical, since Withoff and Kushner, who have direct access to President Trump, could exert significant influence and attract attention from the Russian side. Without them, discussions are expected to focus on technical details, pending a broader political agreement.
Rubio highlighted that the territorial issue remains the main obstacle. For Ukraine, ceding territory is deeply painful, while Russia’s position is influenced by years of propaganda depicting victory in the war. Any compromise could cause confusion among Russian citizens.
According to political commentator Vitaly Portnikov, the influence of Russian society may be overstated, as Putin can impose his version of events. Yet, Putin himself is not inclined to make concessions, aiming instead to delay negotiations as long as Trump remains in office.
Even if a compromise—like a demilitarized free economic zone in Donbas—is found, Putin could introduce new demands, such as security guarantees that would be unacceptable for Russia if NATO troops were stationed in Ukraine. This further complicates any real settlement.
Portnikov concludes that the US reluctance to acknowledge Putin's unwillingness to strike an agreement fuels an illusion of a real peace process, which in turn slows military aid to Ukraine. This delays the shipment of long-range arms, crucial for Ukraine’s defense.
Ultimately, replacing realistic expectations with illusions of peace only prolongs the war, even if justified by peace-seeking motives or fears of direct confrontation with Russia.