Trump Envoy to Discuss Ukraine Peace at Kremlin

Published: 26 November 2025 Wednesday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Donald Trump’s overseas envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to hold talks at the Kremlin next week as the United States continues its diplomatic push for a peace deal aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. The visit, confirmed by Vladimir Putin’s close foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, comes amid growing international focus on advancing a US-brokered plan that outlines potential pathways to resolve one of the most enduring and complex conflicts in recent European history.

According to officials, the visit follows Ukraine’s announcement that it has reached a “common understanding” with the White House regarding the structure of a proposed peace framework. This agreement, although not yet formalised, represents a significant step in ongoing diplomatic efforts to reconcile competing demands from Kyiv, Moscow, and Western allies. On Tuesday, Trump publicly stated that he had tasked Witkoff with meeting the Russian president, while US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll was dispatched to Ukraine to oversee discussions with Kyiv’s leadership.

The diplomatic engagement comes after the leak of a 28-point draft plan last week. Trump described the document as a blueprint that had since been “fine-tuned with additional input from both sides.” While the plan’s release sparked immediate debate in the international community, it has also injected fresh momentum into talks that appeared stalled for weeks. Analysts note that the leak underscored both the fragility and urgency of negotiations, highlighting the delicate balance between securing Ukrainian sovereignty and meeting Russian territorial demands.

Simultaneously, European and Western leaders have stepped up their involvement. On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing,” a loose grouping of Ukraine’s allies committed to providing continued defence support in the event of a ceasefire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also participated, discussing the possibility of forming a peacekeeping force to oversee a potential truce. The coalition has stressed that security guarantees for Ukraine remain a crucial precondition for any formal agreement.

Moscow and Kyiv remain at odds over several core issues. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that the “main problem” blocking peace is Russia’s insistence on legal recognition of territory seized during the conflict, including the eastern Donbas region. Moscow, for its part, continues to demand a full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk and Luhansk, while retaining control over Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, and large portions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. These territorial disputes have complicated negotiations, leaving both sides wary of concessions.

The leaked draft plan, which was initially met with scepticism, included several points that reflected key Kremlin demands. These proposals suggested Ukraine could cede control of certain regions, agree not to join NATO, and significantly reduce the size of its armed forces. While Russian President Putin described the draft as a potential “basis” for a deal, Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine faced a stark choice: retain the support of the United States or compromise its national dignity. European allies have pushed back on certain elements of the draft, signalling that a balanced compromise would be necessary for a lasting solution.

Tensions around the leaked draft intensified after a call on 14 October between Witkoff and Ushakov became public. During the conversation, Witkoff reportedly advised the Kremlin on approaches to Trump and suggested that Ukraine might have to relinquish territory to secure a peace deal. Trump, when questioned about the call, described it as a “very standard form of negotiations,” highlighting the routine nature of diplomatic back-and-forth in complex international disputes. BBC News has not independently verified the reported transcript.

In recent days, both Ukraine and the United States have expressed optimism regarding progress on the draft, with Zelensky noting that changes made to the document reflected “the right approach” for Ukraine. While Trump had initially pushed for rapid acceptance of the draft, he later clarified that the original document was “just a map” and “not a plan,” framing it as a conceptual guide rather than a binding agreement.

Despite these diplomatic developments, fighting continues on the ground. Both Russia and Ukraine reported strikes on Tuesday night in the Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian regional head Ivan Federov confirmed at least seven injuries, while Yevgeny Balitsky, the Kremlin-installed governor, reported that Ukrainian strikes had damaged energy infrastructure, leaving up to 40,000 residents without electricity. The ongoing violence underscores the high stakes of negotiations and the human cost of continued hostilities.

The war, which escalated in February 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has resulted in tens of thousands of military and civilian casualties and displaced millions of people. Analysts warn that even as diplomacy advances, the humanitarian situation remains critical, with civilians in frontline regions facing disruptions to basic services, food shortages, and threats to their safety.

Observers note that Witkoff’s upcoming visit to Moscow represents a high-profile diplomatic intervention, signaling US determination to play an active role in shaping the post-conflict landscape. The meeting will likely cover the implementation of security guarantees, territorial adjustments, ceasefire monitoring mechanisms, and conditions for a broader peace settlement. It will also test the capacity of the Kremlin, Kyiv, and Western powers to negotiate in good faith amid domestic political pressures and public scrutiny.

For Ukraine, maintaining the support of its Western allies while negotiating a compromise with Moscow is a delicate balancing act. The leaked draft revealed tensions between external pressures and national priorities, highlighting the challenges faced by Zelensky and his government. Meanwhile, Moscow continues to demand concessions, asserting that territorial recognition and demilitarisation are preconditions for any agreement.

The international community has stressed that a sustainable peace deal will require careful attention to both political and humanitarian factors. European Union officials, along with NATO partners, have emphasised the importance of guaranteeing Ukrainian sovereignty while establishing mechanisms to prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies continue to deliver aid to affected populations, attempting to mitigate the suffering caused by ongoing military operations.

As Witkoff prepares for his meeting with Putin, diplomatic attention will also focus on coordinating with Kyiv and European partners to ensure that any agreement reflects broader strategic and humanitarian objectives. The coming week will be closely watched by global leaders, analysts, and the media, as progress—or setbacks—in these talks could have far-reaching implications for the region.

The outcome of the talks may determine not only the immediate trajectory of the Ukraine conflict but also long-term regional stability. Both sides face pressure to deliver tangible results, balancing the urgency of peace with the complexities of negotiating terms acceptable to all parties. Meanwhile, the daily realities of conflict—civilian casualties, infrastructure damage, and displacement—continue to underscore the stakes involved.

With the situation evolving rapidly, Witkoff’s visit represents a critical juncture in international efforts to mediate the Ukraine crisis. Observers expect the talks to focus on security guarantees, ceasefire implementation, and potential peacekeeping arrangements, alongside the broader question of territorial adjustments. How these negotiations unfold could define the prospects for lasting peace in Ukraine and shape the geopolitical dynamics of Eastern Europe for years to come.