Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Tuesday, as diplomatic efforts intensify to resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine. Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, is also expected to participate in the high-level talks.
The summit follows two days of negotiations in Florida between Ukrainian and US officials, including Witkoff and Kushner, aimed at refining a US-backed peace plan initially seen as favorable to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the discussions as “constructive” but noted “some tough issues still have to be worked through.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Witkoff’s meeting with Putin will take place in the afternoon. Speaking in Paris after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelensky emphasised Kyiv’s priorities: maintaining Ukraine’s sovereignty and securing strong security guarantees. He warned that the territorial issue remains the most contentious, as the Kremlin continues to press Ukraine to cede land in the east demands Kyiv has consistently rejected.
The Moscow talks coincide with Russian claims of capturing key towns in eastern Ukraine, including Pokrovsk and Vovchansk. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed these claims, and independent monitoring suggests the cities are not fully under Russian control. Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, warned that Russia’s focus appears aimed at shifting pressure onto Ukraine in the ongoing peace plan.
Prior to the trip, Witkoff met with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Zelensky, and Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, while several European leaders joined virtually. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed optimism about the refined draft peace plan but declined to disclose details, emphasising the ongoing negotiations.
Russian President Putin has acknowledged reviewing the US-drafted peace plan and suggested it could form a basis for a future agreement. However, Kremlin officials later cast doubt on acceptance, citing Kyiv’s and European allies’ insistence on revisions.
The initial US-Russia draft, circulated in November, sparked criticism in Kyiv and Europe for favoring Moscow, outlining conditions for frozen Russian assets in Europe and regulating Ukrainian market access. Macron stressed that no final peace plan exists yet, and that territorial, financial, and security issues require Ukrainian and European input. He highlighted that territorial concessions can only be finalized by Zelensky.
While Moscow has engaged sporadically with US mediation, its demands, particularly regarding Ukrainian territory and security guarantees, conflict with Kyiv’s sovereignty. European and US officials continue to advocate for assurances, including possible NATO protection for Ukraine, which Russia opposes. Trump’s advisers have ruled out Ukrainian NATO membership as part of any deal.
The outcome of the talks in Moscow could prove pivotal in determining whether the conflict, which escalated in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion, moves closer to resolution or continues amid entrenched disputes over territory and security.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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