Putin and Trump Envoy Witkoff to Discuss Ukraine in Moscow
In a significant diplomatic development, envoy Witkoff will meet with President Vladimir Putin to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. This meeting is scheduled for the second half of Tuesday, as confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
Ukrainian Peace Talks and Key Issues
The peace talks come amid rising tensions as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized his nation’s commitment to sovereignty. During a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, Zelensky outlined Ukraine’s main priorities. These include securing robust security guarantees and addressing territorial disputes.
Territorial Disputes Remain Challenging
- Zelensky highlighted the territorial issue as the most contentious aspect of the negotiations.
- The Kremlin suggests that Ukraine should cede control of territories in the eastern region, which Kyiv categorically opposes.
Russia has engaged in extensive efforts over the past 18 months to capture the strategic town of Pokrovsk, referred to as Krasnoarmeysk in Russian. Recently, Russian officials claimed to have seized Pokrovsk along with the border town of Vovchansk. However, Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed these reports. Intelligence sources monitoring the conflict indicate that neither town has been fully captured yet.
Russian Claims and Strategic Objectives
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s counter-disinformation center, remarked that it seems Russia is attempting to redirect pressure onto Ukraine in the ongoing U.S. peace negotiations. Putin recently visited a military command post, claiming progress in a “very important area.”
Ahead of his crucial discussions in Moscow, Witkoff engaged in talks with various leaders. These included UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, President Zelensky, and Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov. Notably, several key European leaders participated virtually in the Zelensky-Macron meeting.
Optimism from the U.S. Administration
On the U.S. front, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the draft peace deal has undergone significant refinement. She expressed optimism about the potential for an end to the conflict, although she deferred details to the negotiators.
Last week, Putin acknowledged he had reviewed the U.S. proposed draft peace plan, suggesting it could serve as a foundation for eventual agreement. However, Kremlin officials later cast doubt on the acceptance of this proposal as Kyiv and its European allies had requested amendments.
