US Vice President JD Vance claims Moscow has shown “significant concessions” in ongoing talks to end the war in Ukraine. Speaking to NBC, Vance said Russia appeared willing to bend on some of its once “non-negotiable” demands. Among them: accepting that Ukraine would retain territorial integrity after the conflict and dropping the idea of installing a puppet regime in Kyiv. For the first time in nearly four years of fighting, he suggested, the Kremlin was softening its stance.
Still, optimism is scarce. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov quickly poured cold water on speculation of a swift summit between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. He insisted any meeting would require “serious preparation,” while repeating demands that looked more like ultimatums than compromise.
Vance stressed that while the US will stay engaged diplomatically, American boots won’t hit Ukrainian soil. “There will be no ground troops,” he said, pointing instead to continued security guarantees and political backing. Former President Trump, who has hinted at brokering a deal, warned an actual agreement could still be weeks away—if it comes at all.
What it means for people
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Possible slowdown in fighting
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Continued US military and political aid
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Lower risk of NATO direct involvement
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Fragile hopes for diplomacy
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Uncertainty over long-term security in Europe
The war isn’t over yet, but the battlefield may slowly be giving way to bargaining tables. Staying informed now means watching both the guns and the words.