Diplomacy takes center stage as Russia’s Vladimir Putin prepares to host Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, close confidants of U.S. President Donald Trump, in Moscow this Thursday. The agenda: forging paths to end the grinding Ukraine war.
Announced amid Security Council talks after Abbas discussions, TASS notes the envoys’ mission centers on Ukrainian peace. Putin wants to delve into details of Russia’s Board of Peace participation, following Trump’s outreach.
Building on a fruitful Davos meeting with Kirill Dmitriev—over two hours of constructive exchange—Witkoff confirmed the trip, Kushner in tow from prior high-profile encounters.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy, however, calls for proof of Russia’s sincerity. In a nationwide message, he lambasts attacks on energy assets: missiles, outages, nuclear threats. Over 58,000 repair crews, bolstered by Ukrzaliznytsia and state entities, toil ceaselessly on power and heating fixes.
This pivotal summit arrives at a fraught moment. Trump’s intermediaries bring deal-making savvy, but success hinges on navigating Putin’s resolve and Zelenskyy’s demands. The international community holds its breath—might this spark a turning point, or merely diplomatic theater in a conflict far from over?