The key facts

  • According to FT, the US has changed its position and will no longer push Kyiv to give up its claims to land
  • Previously, Russia demanded the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from four regions, and Witkoff called recognition of these territories the fastest path to a ceasefire

Washington's shift in position

The United States has changed its approach to resolving the Ukrainian conflict: whereas previously the American side had advocated territorial concessions from Ukraine in negotiations, it will now stop pushing Kyiv to give up its claims to land. This was reported by Gazeta.Ru citing a Financial Times publication, which relies on two informed sources.

What Russia demanded earlier

The FT piece was accompanied by a reminder of Moscow's previous position: as part of a settlement, Russia demands the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the entire territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics as well as the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. President Vladimir Putin, according to Gazeta.Ru, has repeatedly emphasized, including in talks with Donald Trump, that Moscow will not abandon its goals. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov also statedthat peace is possible only after the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the regions of Donbas and Novorossiya that became part of Russia following referendums.

Context of the negotiating line

The US president's special envoy Steve Witkoff previously called Russia's recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics and the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions the fastest path to a ceasefire — meaning that, according to FT sources, Washington's line has shifted away from an emphasis on Kyiv's concessions. Meanwhile, in the State Duma in August 2026 it was stated that Russia must, by 2030, end the special military operation with an absolute victory. The FT report relies on anonymous sources, and the publication does not provide official confirmation of the change in the US position.