Negotiations between Russia and the United States to resolve the conflict in Ukraine have entered a difficult phase, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on April 17, 2025. According to him, the process is moving forward with difficulty due to the position of Kyiv and a number of European countries, which, Peskov claims, have become "war hawks," insisting on continuing military action. Despite the difficulties, contacts with the American side will continue, although there are no specific agreements yet, including organizing a new telephone conversation between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. This was reported by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, who emphasized that such a conversation is being discussed, but to no avail.

One of the key issues remains the expiration of the moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, introduced on March 18 following talks between Putin and Trump, on April 18. Ushakov noted that Moscow would send Washington "certain signals" on this issue, but did not specify their content. Peskov previously indicated that Russia was observing the moratorium, despite accusations against Ukraine of violating it, including attacks on Russian energy facilities in the Zaporizhia region. The Kremlin has not yet confirmed its intentions to extend the agreement, which increases uncertainty.

Moscow is taking a tough stance, demanding full control over the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, the Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions within their administrative borders.

The talks in Paris, which began on April 16, have also failed to produce a breakthrough, Reuters reports. The American delegation, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Representative Steve Witkoff, are discussing the idea of ​​an Easter truce on April 20 with European leaders, but disagreements remain. According to Ukrainska Pravda, Kyiv categorically rejects any territorial concessions, and President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Witkoff of promoting “Russian narratives.”

The moratorium on attacks on energy facilities, which includes the protection of nuclear power plants, oil depots and power plants, was a major achievement, but its future is in question. The Russian Foreign Ministry has handed over to the US a list of more than 60 alleged violations by Ukraine, including the shelling of substations. At the same time, as reported by the BBC, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga accuses Russia of not observing the moratorium, citing strikes on energy facilities in Kherson and Kharkiv.