**Title: Kushner Identifies Territorial Dispute as Major Barrier to Ukraine Peace**
In a recent address at the annual YES 2026 conference in Kiev, Jared Kushner, the U.S. special envoy and son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, highlighted the territorial dispute between Moscow and Kiev as the primary obstacle to achieving peace in Ukraine. His remarks followed high-level discussions in both Moscow and Kiev, aimed at finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Kushner participated in the conference via video link, where he discussed the complexities of the situation. He noted that while Moscow is open to dialogue about resolving the conflict, the issue of territory remains particularly challenging. This difficulty is compounded by the dynamic nature of the battlefield, which has evolved significantly due to advancements in military technology.
“The hardest issue is still territory,” Kushner stated, emphasizing that the situation on the ground is fluid and unpredictable. He acknowledged that while experts may offer various solutions, the actual outcomes remain uncertain.
Despite these challenges, Kushner expressed a degree of optimism regarding the progress made during recent trilateral talks held in Abu Dhabi. He mentioned that representatives from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine successfully established a deconfliction mechanism and a monitoring framework, which involved discussions with the U.S. military. Kushner believes that once the territorial questions are addressed, this framework could serve as a robust mechanism for enforcement and oversight of any potential agreements.
He remarked, “I think the sides feel good about” the arrangement, indicating that there is a sense of progress among the negotiating parties. Kushner's comments suggest that if Moscow and Kiev can find common ground on territorial issues, other aspects of a peace deal could fall into place more easily.
Kushner and his fellow envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for over three hours during their visit to Moscow earlier this month. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov characterized the discussions as “substantive, constructive and extremely candid.” Ushakov noted that Putin emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of the conflict, alongside Russia's battlefield successes.
Following the talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed hope that trilateral negotiations involving Washington and Kiev could resume in the near future, with Abu Dhabi being identified as a preferred location for future discussions.
Moscow has consistently maintained that a lasting resolution to the conflict is contingent upon Kiev acknowledging the “new territorial realities” established by the ongoing military actions. Additionally, Russia has called for commitments from Ukraine regarding neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.
As the situation continues to develop, the focus remains on the territorial disputes that have long plagued relations between Moscow and Kiev. With both sides entrenched in their positions, the path to peace appears complex and fraught with challenges. However, the ongoing dialogue facilitated by U.S. envoys may offer a glimmer of hope for a resolution in the future.