What are the three issues still blocking a Ukraine peace deal?

Despite public statements from the Trump administration describing "tremendous progress" toward a peace agreement, a senior Ukrainian source says several core issues remain unresolved.

While both sides have reached broad understanding on most items in the 28-point US proposal, at least three areas continue to divide negotiators, says CNN.

These relate to territorial arrangements, future military capacity and Ukraine's long-term diplomatic orientation. Ukrainian officials describe them as long-standing national red lines.

1. Territorial Demands

Territorial arrangements remain the most sensitive element of the negotiations. At issue is whether Ukraine would be required to surrender key areas of the Donbas region, parts of which Russia has annexed but does not fully control.

These include what the Ukrainian side refers to as the "fortress belt," a group of heavily defended towns and cities considered essential to national security.

Earlier versions of US proposals suggested this land could be transferred to form a Russian-administered demilitarized zone. The Ukrainian source acknowledged "certain progress" on this point but said no agreed wording or final decision exists, adding that "it is very wrong to say we have now the version that is accepted by Ukraine".

Territory remains one of the Kremlin's primary conditions for ending its campaign, but agreeing to such concessions would require Ukraine to give up strategically important areas after years of costly fighting.

2. Military Limitations

A second unresolved area concerns the size and structure of Ukraine's future armed forces. The original US proposal included a ceiling of 600,000 personnel. Kyiv has resisted this figure, arguing that the country's defensive needs require a larger force.

The Ukrainian source said a higher number has been discussed but that further changes are still needed before any agreement is possible.

Moscow views reduction of Ukraine's military capacity as part of the broader "demilitarization" it seeks. For Kyiv, limiting its forces raises concerns about long-term deterrence, especially if other components of the deal weaken territorial defenses.

3. Renouncing NATO Membership

The third outstanding issue is a diplomatic one: whether Ukraine would formally renounce its ambition to join NATO. The Ukrainian source described this demand as unacceptable, saying it would set a "bad precedent" and effectively give Russia influence over a Western military alliance of which it is not a member. Moscow has long cited Ukraine's NATO ambitions as a justification for its actions.

A commitment to permanent exclusion from NATO remains one of Russia's central conditions for ending the war, but agreeing to such a step would require Ukraine to forgo a long-standing security goal.

Why these issues matter

Together, the three unresolved demands cut to the core of Ukraine's sovereignty and security. Concessions on territory, military capacity or alliance choices would shape the country's long-term strategic position. The Ukrainian source said formally stepping away from any of these red lines would be a "huge ask," noting the political and security risks for leaders who might be asked to do so.

While US officials continue to describe the remaining hurdles as "not insurmountable," the Ukrainian side maintains that the outstanding gaps are substantial and could "make or break efforts" to reach a final agreement.