UPDATE: The White House has declared it is “very optimistic” as Special Envoy Steve Witkoff prepares to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday. This critical meeting aims to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and follows intense discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials.
Just hours before the high-stakes negotiations, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “The administration feels very optimistic,” after successful talks in Florida with a Ukrainian delegation, including key figures such as Jared Kushner and Marco Rubio.
The meeting comes after a series of discussions aimed at revising the peace plan initially proposed by the Trump administration, indicating a potential shift in approach to end the war that has ravaged Ukraine for months. Reports reveal that Witkoff’s visit to Moscow is a pivotal moment in U.S. diplomatic efforts.
On Monday, the Kremlin confirmed that Witkoff’s meeting with Putin was officially scheduled, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that several closed-door meetings would take place in preparation for this U.S.-Russian dialogue.
Despite the optimism from the U.S. side, expectations for a successful agreement remain low. Putin’s recent statements suggest a hardline stance, asserting that negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are “pointless” unless Ukraine withdraws from contested territories.
In a concerning development, Putin claimed control of two Ukrainian cities amidst ongoing fierce fighting in Eastern Ukraine, raising alarms about the potential for escalation as talks unfold.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy continues to engage with European leaders to unify support against Russian aggression. On Monday, he met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and is expected to meet with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin on Tuesday. Zelenskyy stressed the need for significant actions to advance towards a just peace.
As the negotiations progress, Zelenskyy’s delegation in Florida has been actively communicating updates on the discussions. While several “tough issues” remain unresolved, including potential concessions of Ukrainian property to Russia, both sides are reportedly seeking to refine their proposals.
Reflecting on the recent meetings, Rustem Umerov, head of the Kyiv delegation, stated, “Over two very productive days in the United States, we achieved significant progress, although some issues still require further refinement.”
Leavitt refrained from specifying what outcomes are expected from the Moscow talks, stating, “We’ve put points on paper. Those points have been very much refined… but as for the details, I will let the negotiators negotiate.”
As the world watches closely, the outcome of Witkoff’s meeting with Putin could redefine the landscape of U.S.-Russia relations and the future of Ukraine. Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to develop.
