High-Stakes Talks Begin in Moscow
President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday for a pivotal round of diplomacy aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The talks follow intensive weekend negotiations in Florida between Witkoff and senior Ukrainian officials, where both sides attempted to craft a revised peace outline acceptable to Kyiv.
Washington hopes the updated proposal will open the door to compromise after months of stalled engagement. The Biden-era version of the peace plan was viewed as heavily weighted toward Russia. It would have compelled Ukraine to surrender territories currently under its control, impose strict limitations on its military, and permanently block NATO membership — terms Ukraine rejected outright.
Kyiv Scrambles to Rework the Original Offer
The initial plan approved by Trump last month caught Kyiv off-guard, prompting a rush of diplomatic activity across Europe and the United States. Ukrainian leaders and allied negotiators spent two weeks urging revisions that would address sovereignty concerns and avoid concessions viewed as untenable for domestic and regional security.
Trump had previously pushed Kyiv to accept the deal by Thanksgiving, but he has since shifted to calling for an agreement “as soon as possible.” Officials familiar with the discussions say the amended framework now reflects adjustments made during multiple rounds of talks, including sessions hosted in Geneva last month.
Putin Signals Openness — With Conditions
Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, Putin indicated that he was prepared for a “serious” conversation with the United States. He suggested that the Geneva working document could provide the “framework” of a final settlement, though he reiterated that Russian forces maintain battlefield momentum. Should negotiations fail, Putin warned, Moscow would seek its objectives militarily.
The Kremlin’s posture reflects both confidence in its current strategic position and a willingness to probe whether Washington and Kyiv are prepared to concede on key issues, including territorial control and Ukraine’s long-term security architecture.
Kyiv Negotiates Amid Domestic Turmoil
The talks come at a moment of political strain for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration has been shaken by a major corruption scandal that forced the resignation of Andriy Yermak, his influential chief of staff and chief negotiator. The upheaval has raised questions about Kyiv’s negotiating bandwidth just as the peace effort reaches a critical phase.
Despite the internal challenges, Ukrainian officials say they remain committed to pursuing a workable agreement. Witkoff’s meeting with Putin marks the first direct attempt to bridge the remaining gaps between the two sides and will shape whether a feasible path toward de-escalation exists.