United States envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Thursday for talks with President Vladimir Putin, aiming to advance diplomatic negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
The mission follows two days of trilateral discussions in Abu Dhabi between American, Russian, and Ukrainian negotiators, which concluded with a commitment to keep talking and plans for a new prisoner exchange.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said that agreement had been reached on the next round of peace negotiations.
Speaking to reporters at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow before departing the country, Witkoff noted, “I think progress was made. I think it was made earlier today.” He added, “We’ve set a new meeting. This is what President Trump wants to see.” According to Russian state media RIA Novosti, Witkoff emphasized that President Donald Trump is “seeking to end the conflict in Ukraine as quickly as possible.”
Kushner, the son-in-law of President Trump and an adviser, told Vladimir Putin during their Kremlin meeting that Europe wants a role in future negotiations. This reflects a long-standing request from both Ukraine and its European partners. However, diplomacy remains complex.
Speaking at the European Political Community in Dublin today, Zelenskyy said the US-led peace talks held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and Wednesday "were serious not empty," noting the agreement between Kyiv and Moscow to swap prisoners of war. But he said there had been "a lot of…
While representatives from several European countries were present in Abu Dhabi during the earlier summit, they did not play a direct role in the talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has previously criticized the presence of European officials, suggesting their involvement is not a “promising approach.”
The Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, previously said that no contacts between Russian and EU representatives were planned in Abu Dhabi. Despite this, Kushner maintained that Europe must be at the table for discussions regarding post-invasion security, asserting, it’s a discussion where they have to be involved. President Zelenskyy is attending the European Political Community summit in Dublin.
A good meeting with @eucopresident António Costa and President of the European Commission @vonderleyen. I briefed them on the meetings in Abu Dhabi. Europeans were present in separate formats, and it is important that Europe be fully represented in the negotiation track with the… pic.twitter.com/sgaJ0FkrLS
Zelenskyy stated, “These are not random errors but systematic speed restrictions,” noting in a Telegram post that these disruptions hamper the country’s ability to defend itself against incoming Russian missiles and drones.
European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier addressed the situation at a news conference in Brussels, stating, “Starshield services must be restored urgently for Ukraine to keep its soldiers connected, to protect its citizens and to defend its territory.”
At the meeting in Moscow, Putin proposed a joint Russian-Ukrainian humanitarian mission to the city of Kostiantynivka. Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmitry Lytvyn told the BBC that the details of this proposal would need to be “clarified,” adding, “Considering that they brought in equipment and rotated troops in Oleshky under the guise of a humanitarian operation, it's clear what they want in Kostyantynivka.”
The diplomatic push has not provided relief from the ongoing conflict. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, more than 70 Ukrainian drones were intercepted on Thursday, including several aimed at Moscow. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military reported that it has targeted Russia’s largest oil refinery.
Zelenskyy said his negotiating team briefed him that Russian negotiators said "they had no permission to discuss steps that could reduce the horrors of this war" despite another attempt by Kyiv's side to push for de-escalation in the Black Sea and a stop to attacks on energy…
Major hurdles to a lasting peace deal remain. Putin continues to discuss the status of the eastern Donbas region, including proposing a humanitarian mission to the village of Kostiantynivka.
Zelenskyy remained firm, stating, “If someone in America is making decisions that essentially treat Ukrainian territories as if they don’t belong to Ukraine, then that tells us where things are heading. We must be clear and never, under any circumstances, recognize the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory.”
More on Steve Witkoff
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrive in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin following trilateral talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/Dk9hTF2LIP
Talks with Russian President Putin are set to take place after U. S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow. pic.twitter.com/DkehjuklKo
U. S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, with Russian officials Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev also present. The envoys are scheduled to brief Ukrainian President Zelensky in Dublin next. pic.twitter.com/NBoLsBcR3H
