Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Tuesday, after the White House expressed strong optimism for a potential resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has been an outside adviser in the discussions, is also set to attend.
The upcoming summit follows two days of negotiations in Florida involving Ukrainian and US officials, including Witkoff and Kushner, aimed at refining a US-backed peace proposal, which reportedly leans in favor of Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized the talks as constructive but acknowledged that numerous challenges remain, particularly concerning territorial integrity and security guarantees.
Zelensky highlighted maintaining Ukraine's sovereignty and securing robust security assurances as primary objectives during the peace talks.
The issue of territorial concessions continues to be a contentious sticking point, with Ukraine adamantly refusing to cede any territory despite Russian demands. The overall sentiment remains that the Kremlin’s negotiation strategy may impose undue pressure on Ukraine to yield territory.
Recent discussions have indicated that significant refinements have been made to the initial draft peace plan, indicating a cautious optimism from the Biden administration.
Despite the progress, uncertainties loom as Moscow has expressed doubts about the acceptance of the plan, particularly after European allies signaled they had secured changes.
The stakes are high as the outcome of these talks could pave the way for an end to a conflict that has caused immense suffering since it erupted in 2014. The meeting between Putin and Witkoff could prove pivotal, and all eyes will be watching the developments in the coming days.
