Officials in Kiev see little chance of reaching a settlement in the Ukrainian conflict before the end of this year.

RBC-Ukraine reported that, in recent weeks, multiple sources within the Ukrainian authorities and among foreign diplomats had expressed the view that meaningful prospects for a peace deal this year were virtually absent.

A member of the Ukrainian negotiating team said the parties were being forced to look for new approaches because earlier proposals had failed to produce results.

According to the outlet, some expectations are tied to a possible visit to Kiev by US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. They may then travel to Moscow.

In late July, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the conditions for ending the hostilities had been set out two years earlier. He argued that the conflict could stop immediately if Kiev made the required decisions.

Speaking at the Russian Foreign Ministry in 2024, President Vladimir Putin outlined Moscow’s terms for ending the conflict. They included the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, as well as a formal renunciation of Kiev’s plans to join NATO.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that it is seeking a lasting settlement rather than a temporary suspension of hostilities.