US Envoys Arrive in Moscow for Ukraine Talks with Vladimir Putin
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have arrived in Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, following two days of Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi. Russian media showed the pair being welcomed by Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Their meeting was scheduled for 12:00 local time, or 09:00 GMT, after which they were due to travel to Dublin for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The meetings with Putin and Zelensky were announced after discussions focused on Europe’s postwar security arrangements. Kushner said the United States had identified “some openings and some opportunities” and hoped to make progress. He also said the envoys would seek Putin’s approval for European representatives to join future negotiations, urging European governments to choose a single person to speak for them. Russia has opposed a European role, citing the continent’s support for Ukraine.
The diplomatic effort faces major obstacles. Nearly five years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Moscow continues to demand sovereign Ukrainian territory and an end to future Western security commitments to Kyiv. Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky nevertheless said the sides had moved closer to peace, while arguing that much would depend on Ukraine, the United States and Europe.
As the talks continued, Zelensky accused Russia of causing “systematic” restrictions to Starshield, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, which is vital to Ukrainian forces. He said the disruptions were making it harder to intercept Russian jet-powered drones and that Ukraine was seeking clarification from the American side.
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