A U.S. delegation, including former President Trump’s son-in-law jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday as diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year-old war in Ukraine intensify. The meeting centered on a revised American peace proposal, a advancement occurring amidst reported Russian battlefield gains and growing concerns from Kyiv and European allies about potential concessions. While both sides described the talks as “useful,” substantial disagreements remain, highlighting the complex path forward in securing a lasting resolution to the conflict.
Moscow –
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin on Monday, December 3, as Moscow signaled its readiness to continue fighting in Ukraine to achieve its initial war aims. The meeting comes at a critical juncture for Ukraine, with a week of intense diplomatic efforts underway.
The discussions centered on a revised U.S. peace plan, altered following pressure from Kyiv and its European allies. The potential for a negotiated settlement is being closely watched globally, as the conflict enters its fourth year with no clear end in sight.
“So far, we haven’t found any compromises, but some American solutions can be discussed,” Yuri Ushakov, a senior advisor to the Russian president, told reporters following the meeting in Moscow. “Some of the formulations proposed are unacceptable to us, and work will continue.”
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Former President Trump indicated that progress toward ending the nearly four-year-old war would be challenging. “Our representatives are in Russia right now to see if we can get it solved,” he said during a cabinet meeting at the White House. “It’s not an easy situation, let me tell you. It’s a real mess.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in an interview aired Tuesday evening, December 5, on Fox News that talks with Russia had “produced some progress” toward ending the war in Ukraine. The exact date of the interview was not immediately clear.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday, December 4, that any peace plan must ensure a permanent end to the war, not just a temporary pause in fighting that began with Moscow’s offensive in February 2022. He emphasized the need for a just and transparent resolution.
In a social media post, Zelensky stated, “There will be no easy solutions.” He added, “The main thing is that everything is fair and transparent. No games are played behind Ukraine’s back. Nothing is decided without Ukraine – about us, about our future.”
Moscow Rejects Revised Proposals
Kushner and Witkoff presented Putin with the updated U.S. plan, which was reworked after the initial version raised concerns in Kyiv and Europe that it conceded too much to Moscow. The development underscores the delicate balance of interests among the key players in the conflict.
Ushakov explained that the initial U.S. plan consisted of four parts, discussed during a five-hour meeting at the Kremlin. “There were some points we could agree on,” said Putin’s top diplomatic advisor. However, “the president did not hide our critical, even negative, attitude towards a number of proposals.”
Putin has demanded that Kyiv cede territories claimed by Moscow. The Kremlin has also rejected the presence of European forces in Ukraine to monitor a potential ceasefire.
Zelensky noted in a social media post that “the most difficult questions relate to territories, frozen Russian assets, and security guarantees.”
Despite this, Ushakov described the Moscow talks as “useful,” stating that the positions of Russia and the U.S. had not moved further apart as a result.
Russia Maintains Pressure
Just before the U.S. delegation’s arrival, Putin signaled a firm stance, stating that the recently captured Ukrainian stronghold of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine was “a good foothold for completing all the tasks set at the beginning of the special military operation” – the Kremlin’s term for the war.
Kyiv is facing pressure on multiple fronts. Russian forces made rapid advances in eastern Ukraine in November, and the capital was shaken by a corruption scandal that led to the resignation of Zelensky’s chief negotiator.
Moscow has also intensified drone and missile attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity and heating. Zelensky accused the Kremlin of attempting to “destroy” his country.
Putin, meanwhile, accused Europe of sabotaging potential agreements and issued a stark warning, saying, “We do not plan to fight with Europe, but if Europe wants it and starts, we are ready for it right now.”
Zelensky expressed hope for discussions with the U.S. president and suggested that Moscow’s true motivation for talks with the U.S. was to ease Western sanctions.
Kushner’s Role
European officials have expressed concern that Washington and Moscow could reach an agreement without their involvement or by forcing Ukraine to make unfair concessions.
The initial 28-point U.S. plan, revealed last month, reportedly aligned closely with Moscow’s demands, prompting accusations that Russia was involved in its drafting – claims Washington has denied.
Bloomberg reported last month on audio recordings suggesting Witkoff assisted in coaching Russian officials on how Putin should address Trump.
Witkoff has met with Putin on several occasions, but reports indicate this was Kushner’s first direct involvement in talks with the Russian president. Kushner previously helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza earlier this year.
*Editor: Rizki Nugraha
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