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Putin to meet US envoy in Moscow amid cautious optimism on Ukraine peace deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Tuesday, following two days of negotiations in Florida between Ukrainian and US officials aimed at refining a US-backed peace proposal. The White House described the talks as progressing with "very optimistic" prospects, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged "tough issues" remain unresolved.
Key players converge as territorial disputes dominate
Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and an informal adviser on diplomatic talks, is also expected to attend the Moscow meeting. The discussions follow claims by Russian officials on Tuesday that they had captured the strategic eastern Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk-known in Russian as Krasnoarmeysk-and the northeastern border town of Vovchansk. Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed these claims, and independent open-source intelligence monitors indicate neither location has fully fallen to Russian forces.
Zelensky, speaking after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday, reiterated Kyiv's priorities: preserving Ukraine's sovereignty and securing robust security guarantees. He described the territorial question as "the most difficult" aspect of the negotiations, with Moscow continuing to demand concessions in eastern Ukraine-a red line for Kyiv.
US draft plan faces skepticism from Kyiv and Europe
The US-proposed peace framework, initially circulated in November, has drawn criticism for allegedly favoring Russian interests. It included provisions on the use of frozen Russian assets held in European banks and terms for Ukrainian market access in Europe. While Putin previously suggested the draft could serve as a "basis" for an agreement, Kremlin officials later expressed reservations after Kyiv and its European allies pushed for revisions.
French President Macron cautioned on Monday that "no finalised peace plan" currently exists, emphasizing that any agreement must involve input from Ukraine and Europe. He underscored that territorial concessions "could only be finalised by President Zelensky" and noted that issues like frozen Russian assets, security guarantees, and Ukraine's EU accession require broader European consultation.
"Supplies have stabilized, but conservation remains essential," Macron stated, adding that the conflict's resolution must align with Ukraine's sovereignty and long-term security.
Emmanuel Macron, French President
Divided reactions to US mediation efforts
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday that the draft peace deal had been "very much refined," with the administration feeling "very optimistic" about its potential to end the war. However, she declined to disclose specifics, stating, "I will let the negotiators negotiate."
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Moscow's approach to negotiations appears focused on extracting concessions from Ukraine rather than seeking a balanced solution. "I'm afraid all the pressure will be put on the weaker side," she said, stressing that a surrender-based agreement would not serve anyone's interests. The conflict, which began with Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022, has seen Moscow alternately engage with and reject US-mediated proposals, particularly those touching on Ukraine's sovereignty and security alliances.
Military claims and diplomatic maneuvering
Russia's assertion of control over Pokrovsk follows nearly 18 months of fighting in the region. Over the weekend, Putin visited a command post near the front lines, where he reportedly stated that Russia had made progress in "an important area." Ukrainian officials, however, have dismissed these claims as part of a broader disinformation strategy aimed at pressuring Kyiv during negotiations.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, suggested Russia's primary goal is to shift all pressure onto Ukraine in the US peace plan. Meanwhile, Witkoff's diplomatic tour included meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Zelensky, and Ukraine's chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, as well as virtual participation from key European leaders during the Zelensky-Macron discussions.
What's next: A pivotal week for diplomacy
The Moscow meeting marks a critical juncture in the peace process, with the territorial dispute and security guarantees remaining the most contentious issues. While the US and Russia have signaled willingness to negotiate, Kyiv's insistence on sovereignty and European allies' demands for inclusive decision-making could complicate any breakthrough. Observers note that this week's developments may determine whether the war enters a new phase of diplomacy-or deeper entrenchment.
