Trump's envoys arrive for Putin talks in Moscow

By ELINA SHIRAZI, US SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Donald Trump 's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow ahead of talks with Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. European media reports the pair are set to begin their talks with the Russian president any moment now –– just after sitting down for a 'hearty lunch.' The US team –– joined by Kirill Alexandrovich Dmitriev—were spotted dining at a Moscow restaurant and are said to be preparing to start their meeting shortly.

Donald Trump 's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow ahead of talks with Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. European media reports the pair are set to begin their talks with the Russian president any moment now –– just after sitting down for a 'hearty lunch.' The US team –– joined by Kirill Alexandrovich Dmitriev—were spotted dining at a Moscow restaurant and are said to be preparing to start their meeting shortly.

This highly–anticipated meeting brings Witkoff and Kusher with an early–stage peace plan that Washington hopes could help end the nearly four–year war in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the talks would take 'as long as needed' and involve only Witkoff, Kushner and a US interpreter. So far, the negotiations have proceeded on track with both sides, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with Ukrainian officials, while Witkoff and Kushner conduct talks in Moscow.

This highly–anticipated meeting brings Witkoff and Kusher with an early–stage peace plan that Washington hopes could help end the nearly four–year war in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the talks would take 'as long as needed' and involve only Witkoff, Kushner and a US interpreter. So far, the negotiations have proceeded on track with both sides, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with Ukrainian officials, while Witkoff and Kushner conduct talks in Moscow.

Zelensky said he met Tuesday with the Ukrainian delegation that returned from the Florida negotiations with US representatives. Rubio described the discussions as having made progress but noted that 'there's more work to be done.' Zelensky added that the Florida talks were based on a document drafted by both sides at an earlier meeting in Geneva.

Zelensky said he met Tuesday with the Ukrainian delegation that returned from the Florida negotiations with US representatives. Rubio described the discussions as having made progress but noted that 'there's more work to be done.' Zelensky added that the Florida talks were based on a document drafted by both sides at an earlier meeting in Geneva. 

He said the document is now 'finalized,' though he did not clarify what that entails. Coinciding with Witkoff's trip, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Ireland, continuing his tour of European nations that have supported Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion. In what could be a high–stakes day of negotiations, Zelensky said he expected quick updates later in the day from the US envoys in Moscow on whether discussions could advance, after Trump's original 28–point plan was narrowed to 20 during Sunday's talks between US and Ukrainian officials in Florida.

He said the document is now 'finalized,' though he did not clarify what that entails. Coinciding with Witkoff's trip, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Ireland, continuing his tour of European nations that have supported Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion. In what could be a high–stakes day of negotiations, Zelensky said he expected quick updates later in the day from the US envoys in Moscow on whether discussions could advance, after Trump's original 28–point plan was narrowed to 20 during Sunday's talks between US and Ukrainian officials in Florida.

'They want to report right after that meeting to us, specifically. The future and the next steps depend on these signals. Such steps will change throughout today, even hour by hour, I believe,' Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Dublin with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. 'If the signals show fair play with our partners, we then might meet very soon, meet with the American delegation,' he said.

'They want to report right after that meeting to us, specifically. The future and the next steps depend on these signals. Such steps will change throughout today, even hour by hour, I believe,' Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Dublin with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. 'If the signals show fair play with our partners, we then might meet very soon, meet with the American delegation,' he said.

'There is a lot of dialogue, but we need results. Our people are dying every day,' Zelensky said. 'I am ready ... to meet with President Trump. It all depends on today´s talks.'

'There is a lot of dialogue, but we need results. Our people are dying every day,' Zelensky said. 'I am ready ... to meet with President Trump. It all depends on today´s talks.'

RussiaJared KushnerMoscowRussia-Ukraine

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