Top US negotiators met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in Moscow, seeking a breakthrough to end the Ukraine war.
Putin received Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin, signalling Russian forces were ready to pursue initial war goals.
The talks mark a critical moment for Ukraine amid a fraught week following frantic diplomacy and a revised US peace proposal.
President Trump acknowledged the challenge of resolving the nearly four-year conflict, describing the situation as complex and “a mess” during a cabinet meeting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised that any peace plan must end the war, not simply pause Moscow’s offensive that began in 2022.
He stressed fairness and transparency, warning that no decisions should be made without Ukraine’s consent regarding its territory or future.
Washington expressed optimism it could help resolve Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II, presenting a new US plan to Putin.
The revised plan addressed European and Kyiv concerns that the initial proposal conceded too much to Moscow’s demands, officials said.
Russian aides Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev joined the Kremlin meeting, underscoring the high-level attention Moscow is giving the negotiations.
Kushner and Witkoff could meet a Ukrainian delegation in Brussels as soon as Wednesday to brief Kyiv directly on the talks.
Putin previously asserted that Russian control of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine offered a “foothold” to achieve all military objectives.
He accused European powers of sabotaging peace efforts, claiming their demands sought to block the process and were unacceptable to Russia.
Kyiv faces mounting pressure from Russian advances, intensified drone and missile strikes, and political scandals weakening its negotiation team.
Zelensky indicated the hardest issues include territorial disputes, frozen Russian assets, and security guarantees, framing Moscow’s motives as easing Western sanctions.
Europe fears Washington and Moscow might strike a deal over Ukraine’s head, raising concerns that the US plan could force unfair concessions.
Kushner’s involvement marked his first direct engagement with Putin, adding to previous efforts by Witkoff, who has met the Russian leader multiple times.
