US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff Meets Putin to Discuss Ukraine Peace Deal
In a significant development, US special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, appointed by President Donald Trump, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Background
Witkoff's visit is part of a diplomatic effort to negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine, a war that has been intensifying over the past few years. This meeting marks the sixth encounter between Putin and Witkoff this year, highlighting Washington's determination to resolve the conflict.
The US envoy, along with Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, represented the American delegation. The meeting discussed a revised proposal for the Ukraine peace deal, which Witkoff had worked on during recent talks in Geneva and Florida.
The Meeting and The Peace Plan
The president will have several closed-door meetings on Monday in preparation for tomorrow's Russia-US contacts,
said Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The Kremlin announced that the Putin-Witkoff meeting would begin after 5:00 p.m. Moscow time, with the initial moments open to the media.
The key discussion point was the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, including the U.S. proposals on the matter. Vladimir Putin expressed interest in using President Trump’s peace plan as a negotiating departure point to end the war in Ukraine. We need to sit down and discuss this seriously,
Putin told reporters, emphasizing the importance of every word in the discussion.
Responses and Reactions
Following the meeting, President Trump expressed optimism about the peace deal, stating that tremendous progress
had been made. However, he also clarified that he would only meet with Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once the peace agreement is complete or in its final stages.
Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine may be entering a “pivotal week,” according to the EU’s foreign policy chief. This sentiment followed talks at the weekend with Ukraine and ahead of the US envoy's meeting with Putin.
Current Status
Despite the progress, some controversies surround the peace plan. Critics have described it as a Russian wish list,
while others have raised concerns about the possibility of a pre-emptive strike by NATO. Furthermore, Putin warned Ukraine to pull back or face 'force,' indicating that tensions remain high.
As diplomacy intensifies over the Ukraine conflict, the world watches with anticipation. The outcome of this meeting could significantly influence the trajectory of peace negotiations and the resolution of the Ukraine war.