Trump Sends Envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow as Ukraine-Russia Peace Negotiations Progress

Trump said that he will send Steve Witkoff to meet Putin again in Moscow to discuss proposed peace plan.

Donald Trump announced Tuesday his envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow for meetings with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as the US president works to finalize a deal ending the Ukraine war.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump claimed there were "only a few remaining points of disagreement," though European leaders expressed skepticism while Russian missiles continued striking Kyiv.

Trump also indicated he hopes to meet "soon" with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but "ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages."

The initial US proposal, which heavily favored Russia, has been replaced by a version more accommodating to Ukraine's interests. One official familiar with the revised plan told AFP it was "significantly better."

However, US officials acknowledged some "delicate" issues remain unresolved.

French President Emmanuel Macron dampened expectations for a quick resolution, stating there is "clearly no Russian willingness" for a ceasefire or to consider the new, more Ukraine-friendly proposal.

Intense negotiations have been ongoing since the weekend, when Ukrainian and US representatives met in Geneva to discuss Trump's controversial initial 28-point peace plan.

Recent talks including US and Russian delegates reportedly took place in Abu Dhabi, according to US media. Leaders from 30 countries supporting Ukraine also convened via video conference on Tuesday.

US negotiator Dan Driscoll expressed optimism after meeting with Russian counterparts, with his spokesman stating: "The talks are going well and we remain optimistic."

The White House noted "tremendous progress," while cautioning that "there are a few delicate but not insurmountable details that must be sorted out."

Meanwhile, the war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 continued unabated.

Powerful explosions shook Kyiv starting around 1:00 am (2300 GMT), as Russian drones and missiles struck the city, causing fires in apartment buildings. City officials reported seven fatalities.

Thick smoke, illuminated red and orange by Ukrainian air defense systems, rose above the capital as residents sought shelter underground in metro stations, according to AFP reporters.

Trump, who has long claimed he could end the Ukraine war within 24 hours, announced last week he wanted his peace proposal approved by Kyiv by this Thursday—the US Thanksgiving holiday.

However, the initial plan, which advanced numerous Russian war aims, alarmed Ukraine and European nations. It included prohibiting Ukraine from ever joining NATO and requiring substantial territorial concessions to Russia.

The updated proposal appears more favorable to Kyiv. The official familiar with the text told AFP that one key improvement increased a proposed cap on Ukraine's future military forces from 600,000 to 800,000 members.

Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov stated Tuesday there was "common understanding on the core" of the deal between Ukraine and the United States.

Nevertheless, he indicated remaining details should be addressed through direct talks "at the earliest suitable date" between Zelensky and Trump.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer cautioned: "There's still a long way to go and a tough road ahead."

Russia currently occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukraine, much of which has been devastated by fighting. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of civilians and military personnel and displaced millions from eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian army Sergeant Ivan Zadontsev told AFP that negotiation was "healthy."

"We also are getting tired of war. We need a break," he said.

However, he added that the proposals from both Washington and the European Union "do not serve Ukraine's national interests."