On Tuesday, Donald Trump said he has sent his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to confer with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week, as the US president aims to finalise an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that there were “merely a few outstanding points of contention”—however, European leaders expressed scepticism, and Russian missiles persisted in striking Ukraine.
He also conveyed optimism about meeting “soon” with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, “but ONLY when the agreement to conclude this War is FINAL or in its final stages.”
Trump subsequently informed journalists on Air Force One that Witkoff might be accompanied in Moscow by the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
A preliminary US proposal, which predominantly favoured Russia, has been supplanted by a revised version that incorporates more of Ukraine’s interests, and an individual familiar with the updated plan told AFP it is “significantly improved.”
Nevertheless, US officials conceded that “sensitive” matters persist.
French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed the notion of a swift resolution, asserting that there is “clearly no Russian willingness” to accept a ceasefire or engage in discussions about the new, more Ukraine-friendly proposal.
Intense discussions have been ongoing since the weekend, when Ukrainian and US representatives convened in Geneva to deliberate on Trump’s contentious initial 28-point plan for resolving the violent conflict.
Recent discussions involving US and Russian representatives occurred in Abu Dhabi, according to US media reports. Leaders from a coalition of 30 nations endorsing Ukraine convened by video on Tuesday.
US negotiator Dan Driscoll expressed optimism following discussions with Russian counterparts, as his spokesman conveyed: “The talks are progressing positively, and we maintain a hopeful outlook.”
The White House acknowledged “significant progress,” while warning that “a few sensitive yet manageable details require resolution.”
However, the conflict, initiated by Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022, persisted relentlessly.
On Tuesday night, Russia executed a significant assault on Zaporizhzhia, resulting in damage to at least seven high-rise structures and the hospitalisation of 12 individuals, according to the head of the regional military administration.
During the preceding night, intense explosions reverberated around Kyiv starting at approximately 1:00 am local time, as Russian drones and missiles descended, igniting fires in residential buildings. Municipal authorities said that seven individuals were deceased.
Dense smoke, tinged with red and orange, rose over the capital during the barrage of Ukrainian air defence fire as inhabitants sought refuge in subterranean metro stations, AFP journalists reported.
Challenging path forthcoming
Trump, who has frequently said he could resolve the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours, declared last week that he wants Kyiv to embrace his proposal by this Thursday, coinciding with the US Thanksgiving holiday.
However, the original strategy, promoting several Russian military objectives, raised concerns in Ukraine and Europe. Included were stipulations against Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the cession of extensive territories to Russia.
The revised strategy evidently satisfies Kyiv to a greater extent. An official acquainted with the document told AFP that a significant enhancement was the increase in the proposed limit on the nation’s future military personnel from 600,000 to 800,000.
Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov stated on Tuesday that there exists a “common understanding on the core” of the agreement between Ukraine and the United States.
Nevertheless, the remaining particulars must be finalised through direct negotiations “at the earliest appropriate opportunity,” he stated.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer cautioned: “There remains a considerable distance to traverse and a challenging path ahead.”
