U.S. special envoy Jared Kushner has said a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine could already be in place if Kyiv agreed to the territorial demands outlined by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) forum in Kyiv on September 12, 2026, Kushner said the United States had largely prepared the other elements of a potential peace deal, with the territorial question remaining the main obstacle to an agreement.
Key Highlights
- Jared Kushner said Ukraine’s territorial position remains a major obstacle to a Russia-Ukraine peace deal.
- He said Russia has outlined the territory it wants to control.
- Kushner said the U.S. has worked out other elements of a potential agreement.
- Ukraine has rejected any formal cession of its internationally recognised territory.
- U.S. mediators are seeking what Kushner described as a “creative solution” to the territorial dispute.
- The issue of territory, particularly Russia’s demands involving the Donbas and other areas, remains central to negotiations.
Kushner: Territory Is Key Obstacle to Peace Deal
Kushner said Russian President Vladimir Putin had clearly outlined the territory Moscow wants, adding that an agreement could move forward if Ukraine accepted those demands.
“President Putin’s laid out his line of what he wants to achieve. If Ukraine wanted to withdraw to that line, then obviously we have the rest of the deal set up and put together. Ukraine right now does not want to do that,” Kushner said.
He said the task of U.S. mediators was to find a “creative solution” that respects Ukraine’s position while creating a pathway to end the conflict and prevent renewed fighting.
U.S. Intensifies Diplomatic Efforts
Kushner’s comments followed recent diplomatic engagements involving fellow U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who met Putin in Moscow before traveling to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The territorial dispute, particularly Russia’s demands concerning the Donbas and other occupied areas, has remained one of the most difficult issues in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
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Ukraine Rejects Territorial Concessions
Ukraine has consistently rejected formally ceding territory that it considers part of its internationally recognised borders.
Kyiv has argued that accepting such demands would reward Russia’s aggression, undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and create further security risks.
Kushner, however, framed the U.S. approach around finding a “win-win” outcome, including potential post-war economic opportunities for both countries.
Critics of the approach have argued that the comments place much of the burden for compromise on Ukraine, particularly over territory.
No Immediate Breakthrough in Russia-Ukraine War
The Russia-Ukraine war continues with no immediate breakthrough in sight. While both Moscow and Kyiv have expressed willingness to engage in diplomatic discussions, major differences remain over territory and the future security arrangements needed to prevent another conflict.
Kushner acknowledged that the two sides remain far apart on the map, underscoring the difficulty facing U.S. efforts to broker a lasting peace agreement.
