Trump envoy arrives for talks with Putin – Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, at the Kremlin, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed.
The visit, part of a broader diplomatic push by Washington, is intended to move forward a proposed peace plan to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
Witkoff has already traveled to Russia three times in recent months, meeting with top Russian officials including Putin. The ongoing talks reflect a deepening effort by both countries to end the hostilities through negotiation.
The agreement proposed by Washington reportedly includes US recognition of Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea, as well as “freezing” the conflict along the current front line and acknowledging Moscow’s control over large parts of four former Ukrainian regions which have voted to Russia. The deal would also reportedly prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and initiate a phased removal of sanctions imposed on Russia.
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky rejected the plan on Tuesday, dismissing any recognition of Crimea’s status as Russian territory. In response, Trump warned on Wednesday that by refusing to cooperate, Zelensky risks the complete collapse of his state.
Witkoff and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not attend a meeting on Ukraine held in London this week. The move came shortly after Zelensky’s public dismissal of key elements in the US proposal.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed to AFP that the meeting of foreign ministers from countries supporting Kiev had been postponed indefinitely. However, they noted that technical-level discussions would continue.
