Over the past week, there has been a flurry of diplomatic activity to end Russia's war in Ukraine. As Kyiv battles to minimise Vladimir Putin's maximalist demands, including the cessation of territories in the east, the Guardian's Russian affairs reporter, Pjotr Sauer, explains why despite some advances, the agreement to a peace deal still appears unlikely

• Putin insists Ukraine has to surrender territory for any deal to be possible

• Ukraine war briefing: Ukrainians fly to US for peace talks with Rubio, Witkoff and Kushner