Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Tuesday, marking a critical moment in ongoing efforts to secure a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine. Jared Kushner, adviser and son-in-law to US President Donald Trump, is also expected to attend the talks.
The meeting follows two days of discussions in Florida involving Ukrainian and US officials, including Witkoff and Kushner, aimed at refining a US-drafted peace proposal previously viewed as leaning in Russia’s favour. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the Florida talks as “constructive” but acknowledged that “some tough issues still have to be worked through.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the Moscow meeting would hold in the afternoon. Speaking in Paris after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelensky reiterated that Kyiv’s priorities remain protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and securing strong security guarantees. He stressed that the territorial question is still the biggest obstacle, with Moscow continuing to push for Kyiv to hand over land in the east—demands Ukraine has repeatedly rejected.
The Moscow discussions come as Russia claims to have taken control of key towns in eastern Ukraine, including Pokrovsk and Vovchansk. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the reports, and independent observers say neither location is fully under Russian control. Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, warned that the claims appear designed to increase pressure on Kyiv during negotiations.
Ahead of his trip to Moscow, Witkoff held talks with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Zelensky, and Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, with several European leaders joining virtually. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the refined peace draft was “promising” but declined to share details, citing the sensitivity of the negotiations.
Putin has acknowledged reviewing the US-proposed plan and said it could serve as a starting point for a future agreement. However, Kremlin officials later expressed skepticism, pointing to Kyiv’s and European leaders’ insistence on modifications.
The initial draft, circulated in November, drew criticism in Kyiv and European capitals for favouring Moscow, proposing conditions for frozen Russian assets in Europe and regulating Ukrainian market access. Macron stressed that no final peace plan exists yet and that any settlement must address territorial, financial, and security issues with full Ukrainian and European participation. He emphasised that territorial decisions can only be made by Zelensky.
While Russia has intermittently engaged in US-led mediation, its core demands—particularly on Ukrainian territory and security guarantees—clash with Kyiv’s sovereignty. European and US officials continue to push for robust assurances for Ukraine, including potential NATO-linked guarantees, although Trump’s advisers have ruled out NATO membership as part of any agreement.
The outcome of Tuesday’s meeting in Moscow may determine whether the conflict, which escalated sharply after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, moves closer to a negotiated settlement or remains locked in disputes over land and long-term security arrangements.
