US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as part of renewed efforts by the Trump administration to address the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. President Donald Trump stated that the envoys were bringing a proposal to end the conflict, which has been described as Europe’s deadliest since World War II. A senior Russian official characterized the visit as an important step towards peacemaking.
Kushner and Witkoff are expected to arrive in Kyiv following their discussions in Moscow, coinciding with a three-day ceasefire announced by both sides amid escalating attacks. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov noted that the high-level talks lasted over three hours and were described as “substantive, very frank and constructive.”
During the meeting, Putin acknowledged the complexity of the situation being discussed. Al Jazeera correspondent Yulia Shapovalova reported that Moscow's demands include Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO and the transfer of four Ukrainian regions to Russia, territories that are not fully under Russian control. In September 2022, Putin declared the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, a move that has not been recognized internationally.
The Trump administration has previously ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine, which has been a point of contention with Russia. Following a meeting in Alaska in August, which did not yield a resolution, the current diplomatic efforts are seen as a continuation of previous talks involving Witkoff and Kushner on various international conflicts.
The specifics of the proposed peace plan remain unclear, although Trump mentioned having an idea for peace without elaborating. The delegation included officials from the National Security Council, State Department, and Treasury, indicating that discussions may have also touched on ongoing sanctions against Russia.
The Trump administration has intensified sanctions aimed at compelling Russia to cease hostilities. However, the situation in Iran has diverted attention from the Ukraine conflict, straining relationships with European allies who have been urged to contribute more to collective defense efforts.
As the envoys prepare to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, skepticism remains among Ukrainians regarding the US envoys' approach. Alexey Muraviev, a defense and strategic studies expert, noted that there is a perception that Witkoff and Kushner may be inclined to accept Russia's narrative.
Witkoff conveyed Trump’s best wishes to Putin during the meeting, which included expressions of gratitude for the temporary ceasefire. Observers have noted that the tone of the interactions may not resonate well with Ukrainian sentiments.
Despite the ceasefire, attacks have continued in other regions, with reports of casualties from both sides. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about Ukraine's resilience, particularly as winter approaches. Muraviev highlighted the significant damage to Ukrainian infrastructure caused by Russian attacks.
The US president has indicated that casualties are high on both sides, and during his 2024 re-election campaign, he claimed he could resolve the conflict quickly, although this timeline has shifted. Recent diplomatic efforts are viewed as attempts to restore US-Russia relations after a period of stalled negotiations.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe's recent visit to Moscow and the invitation extended to Russia’s Finance Minister at a G20 meeting have also been part of this diplomatic activity. Trump is expected to meet Putin again in November during the APEC summit in China, with discussions of a potential trilateral meeting involving the leaders of Russia, China, and the US.
The ongoing conflict with Iran and the war in Ukraine have both become focal points for the Trump administration, particularly as midterm elections approach, where a peace agreement could significantly impact his political standing.