US envoys arrive in Moscow as Kremlin hosts new round of Ukraine peace negotiations. Image Credit: Reuters
MOSCOW, Dec 2 (Epicstorian News) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff entered the Kremlin on Tuesday for what Russian officials described as an important new round of negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine.
The visit follows weeks of friction between Washington, Kyiv and European capitals over competing settlement ideas, and diplomats on all sides cast the meeting as a test of whether Moscow and Washington see space for compromise.
US Envoys Kushner and Witkoff: New Pressure on Peace Framework
The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet the envoys privately with only an interpreter present. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow wanted to avoid “megaphone diplomacy” and would not outline its conditions publicly.
Peskov said the U.S. delegation had signalled interest in clarifying what Washington referred to as its “updated and refined peace framework.” A White House official confirmed Kushner’s role on the mission and said both envoys would provide clarifications to earlier U.S. proposals.
Those proposals leaked last week and circulated in European political circles. European officials who reviewed the documents said parts of the draft aligned closely with Russian positions on NATO limits, territorial recognition and caps on Ukraine’s military.
The leak immediately unsettled Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said the draft reflected “untenable concessions” to Moscow and failed to include firm security guarantees.
Ukraine’s Position in the US Envoys Kushner and Witkoff Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv remained committed to diplomacy. Writing on X, he said Ukraine approached the talks with “utmost seriousness” and expected the same from Russia.
Officials in Kyiv stressed that any settlement must protect sovereignty and provide long-term security assurances. Ukraine’s military reported continued fighting in the east and said Ukrainian units held positions in northern Pokrovsk while striking Russian forces in the south.
Commanders said Russian pressure had intensified since early 2025. Moscow claims control of extensive territory in Donetsk and Luhansk, and pro-Ukrainian mapping groups estimate Russian forces now hold more than 19 percent of Ukraine.
Europe Pushes Back on Claims in US Envoys Kushner and Witkoff Draft
European diplomats said the leaked proposals risked tilting negotiations toward Moscow’s terms and could weaken security guarantees for eastern member states. Officials in Brussels said any settlement must prevent renewed conflict rather than freeze front lines.
European powers produced their own peace outline after emergency consultations in Geneva. Washington and Kyiv later said the talks resulted in an “updated and refined peace framework.”
U.S. officials said the revisions addressed allied concerns while preserving core U.S. priorities. European leaders remained publicly cautious, with one senior diplomat saying “no viable peace” could rest on territorial concessions without credible international oversight.
Another official warned that Europe feared a return to “frozen conflict dynamics.”
Russia’s Framing of US Envoys Kushner and Witkoff Visit
Putin said last week that discussions were not centred on a draft treaty but on a series of ideas that might inform future agreements. He said Russia was open to more talks if Ukraine demonstrated readiness to negotiate, but warned that Russian forces would continue expanding control if Kyiv refused.
Russian state media released footage of Putin praising what he described as the capture of Pokrovsk, and military commanders called the operation a key breakthrough. Ukraine disputed the claim and said parts of the city remained contested.
People close to the talks in Moscow said the U.S. push represented the “best chance” for a negotiated settlement since 2022. They described the Kremlin meeting as a moment to assess each side’s red lines.
Security, NATO and Energy Issues in US Envoys Kushner and Witkoff Discussions
Russia’s core demands have remained largely unchanged. Officials in Moscow say any agreement must rule out Ukrainian NATO membership, limit Ukraine’s armed forces and recognize Russian control over Crimea, Donbas, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
Ukrainian officials call those conditions unacceptable and argue the terms amount to capitulation that would leave the country vulnerable to future aggression. European governments say any territorial arrangements must meet international legal standards.
They have also voiced concern about discussions on Russia potentially rejoining the G8 under certain settlement terms. Several EU officials warned that emerging proposals could inadvertently ease the path for Western investment in Russian energy and rare earth sectors.
Role of US Envoys Kushner and Witkoff in Wider Diplomatic Landscape
Kushner and Witkoff met Ukrainian national security secretary Rustem Umerov at Witkoff’s club in Florida earlier this week, where participants discussed battlefield conditions, territorial lines and possible security guarantees. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined the discussions.
Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev is due to meet Witkoff in Moscow, according to Russian officials who said the agenda included economic issues tied to humanitarian conditions. Washington has not confirmed the meeting.
The broader diplomatic environment remains highly volatile. U.S. officials estimate more than 1.2 million people on both sides have been killed or wounded during the war, a toll they say underscores the urgency of exploring diplomatic options even as expectations for immediate progress remain low.
Historical Context Surrounding US Envoys Kushner and Witkoff Mission
The conflict dates back to 2014, when the ousting of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president was followed by Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the rise of separatist movements in the east. Repeated attempts at diplomacy failed to halt the fighting.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. Sweeping sanctions, Western military support for Ukraine and multiple negotiation rounds have shaped the trajectory of the war.
Analysts say these factors frame the current diplomatic manoeuvring. The envoys’ mission comes after Trump said he intended to end the conflict quickly, and U.S. officials present the Moscow meeting as another attempt to find common ground.
Expectations for US Envoys Kushner and Witkoff Talks
No side expects a final agreement during this visit. Officials say the priority is to narrow differences and identify areas for further discussion.
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Diplomats describe the meeting as exploratory but significant. Both Kyiv and Washington say Ukraine’s sovereignty must guide any settlement, while Moscow insists its security must remain central to the talks.
A person close to the talks said all parties recognized the stakes and that the meeting could shape negotiations for months, with more discussions expected in European capitals later this month.
