Putin meets with Trump envoys for Ukraine talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who is in Moscow to discuss settling the Ukraine conflict.
Witkoff is being accompanied by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and US Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum.
Witkoff initially announced the meeting with Putin on Wednesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, stating that it was requested by the Russian side after there had been “great progress” in Ukraine peace negotiations in recent weeks, although territorial disputes have remained a key sticking point.
“The Russians have invited us to come. And that’s a significant statement from them,” Witkoff told reporters, adding that “I think everybody is embedded in the process and wants to see a peace deal happen.”
Witkoff stated that the talks with Putin will be based on Washington’s 20-point peace plan, adding that “I think we’re down to land deals now.”
The US special envoy met Putin at least six times in person in 2025 as part of efforts to advance peace talks, with the most recent five-hour talks taking place on December 2. At the time, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that “no compromises have been found as of yet,” adding that “some American proposals are acceptable to Russia... others are not.”
