Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday after the White House said it was “very optimistic” about ending the war in Ukraine.
Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and a key external adviser in the diplomatic effort, is also expected to be in attendance for the crucial discussions in Moscow.
The meeting in the Russian capital comes after two days of talks in Florida between Ukrainian and American officials aimed at fine-tuning a US-backed peace proposal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the talks were “constructive”, but added that there are still “some tough issues” to be worked through.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday
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REUTERSOn Monday, Mr Zelensky said his country’s main goals in peace talks are protecting the country’s sovereignty and securing robust security guarantees.
He added that the “territorial issue is the most difficult,” as Mr Putin continues to press for Ukraine to cede parts of its eastern territory as part of a peace deal.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that the draft peace proposal had “been very much refined”.
She added that the Trump administration were feeling “very optimistic” that the plan could bring the conflict to an end.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the talks were ‘constructive’
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REUTERSMs Leavitt said: “But as for the details, I will let the negotiators negotiate.
“But we do feel quite good, and we’re hopeful that this war can finally come to an end.”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the talks in Moscow this week could prove to be “pivotal”.
However, Ms Kallas warned that Mr Putin sought only to engage in talks “with those who are just offering them something on top of what they already have”.
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She added: “I’m afraid all the pressure will be put on the weaker side because that is the easier way to stop this war when Ukraine surrenders, but this is not in anybody’s interest.”
The initial US draft plan to end the war circulated in November and faced criticism from Ukrainian officials.
The 28-point-plan included measures such as Kyiv handing over territory that Russia currently controls and see its armed forces cut to 600,000 personnel.
The proposal also prohibited Ukraine from receiving Nato membership, but would allow the Eastern European country to join the EU.
Emmanual Macron said earlier this week that there is currently ‘no finalised peace plan to speak of’
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REUTERSFrench President Emmanual Macron said earlier this week that there is currently “no finalised peace plan to speak of” and any peace deal must have Ukrainian and European input.
He added that any ceding of territory could “only be finalised by President Zelensky”.
The talks come after Russian forces have claimed to have taken control of the east Ukrainian towns of Pokrovsk and Vovshansk, both regarded as strategically important locations.
However, Kyiv has yet to officially confirm the fall of the two cities.
