U.S. Envoy Meets Putin Amid Optimism for Ukraine Peace Deal
UPDATE: The White House has just announced that it is “very optimistic” ahead of Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s pivotal meeting in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled for Tuesday, November 29, 2023. This critical engagement comes as U.S. officials intensify efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
This high-stakes meeting follows recent discussions between top U.S. and Ukrainian officials aimed at revising a peace-plan proposal initially presented to Ukraine last month during discussions led by former President Donald Trump’s administration. Witkoff is joined by prominent figures including Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who met with a Ukrainian delegation in Florida on Sunday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the administration’s positive outlook, stating, “They had very good talks with the Ukrainians in Florida. And now, of course, Special Envoy Witkoff is on his way to Russia.” With the Kremlin confirming the meeting, anticipation mounts over whether any breakthrough can be reached amidst a backdrop of skepticism regarding Putin’s willingness to compromise.
“The president will hold several closed-door meetings today in preparation for the Russian-American contacts,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
Despite the optimism, expectations of a favorable resolution remain low. Putin recently reiterated his hardline stance, declaring negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “pointless” and asserting claims of Russian control over two contested Ukrainian cities following intense fighting.
Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy is actively pursuing European support against Russian aggression. He met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday in Paris and is expected in Dublin to meet with Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Zelenskyy highlighted the need for decisive actions to produce a just peace and called for unity among allies.
In Florida, members of Zelenskyy’s delegation stayed connected with ongoing negotiations. Although there are several “tough issues” to address, details remain scarce. Reports suggest that potential concessions from Ukraine regarding territorial claims are part of the discussions.
Witkoff and Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine’s delegation, have communicated updates to Zelenskyy, who expressed optimism about the productive talks in the U.S. Umerov noted, “Over two very productive days in the United States, we held many hours of meetings and negotiations. We achieved significant progress, although some issues still require further refinement.”
As the world watches, Leavitt refrained from disclosing specific expectations for the Moscow meeting, stating, “We’ve put points on paper. Those points have been very much refined. But as for the details, I will let the negotiators negotiate. But we do feel quite good, and we’re hopeful that this work can finally come to an end.”
As developments unfold, the international community remains alert to the implications of this critical meeting. The potential for a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine hangs in the balance as both sides prepare for what could be a defining moment in the ongoing struggle.
