Trump's envoy to hold Ukraine peace talks at Kremlin next week

Donald Trump’s overseas envoy, Steve Witkoff, will meet at the Kremlin next week as the US pushes for a deal to end the war in Ukraine. The visit was confirmed by Vladimir Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, following Ukraine’s announcement that it had reached a “common understanding” with the White House on a potential peace plan.

Trump said he tasked Witkoff with meeting Putin while US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll is being sent to Ukraine. The visit follows a 28-point draft plan, which Trump said has been “fine-tuned” with input from both sides. He also said his son-in-law Jared Kushner may attend the Kremlin meeting. Any agreement would include land concessions “both ways” and efforts to “clean up the border,” he added.

The Kremlin said Russia had not yet seen the revised draft and may not accept amendments. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned that substantial changes could make the situation “fundamentally different.” Key issues, such as security guarantees for Kyiv and control of eastern regions, remain unresolved.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he is ready to meet Trump to discuss “sensitive points,” aiming for a meeting before month-end. He noted that Russia pays “great attention to American strength.”

Despite optimism from the US, European leaders are skeptical. French president Emmanuel Macron sees “no Russian will for a ceasefire,” while Downing Street warns the peace process faces a “long and tough road ahead.”

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