Moscow is buzzing with anticipation as Russian President Vladimir Putin schedules a high-stakes meeting with two key figures from U.S. President Donald Trump’s inner circle: Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Set for Thursday, this encounter signals a potential breakthrough in the protracted Ukraine-Russia conflict that has gripped the world for years.
Putin made the announcement during a session with members of Russia’s Security Council, following his recent talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. According to Russia’s TASS news agency, the U.S. representatives are arriving in Moscow specifically to advance discussions on a Ukrainian settlement. This comes on the heels of Trump’s invitation to Putin for the Board of Peace, where the Russian leader aims to elaborate on Moscow’s role.
Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, had previewed the visit earlier, confirming Kushner’s accompaniment. The duo’s prior engagement at the World Economic Forum on January 20 with Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s special representative and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, lasted over two hours and was described by Witkoff as highly positive. Kushner, no stranger to high-level diplomacy, was present at previous meetings between Putin and U.S. officials.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains skeptical. In a national address, he urged Russia to prioritize diplomacy over missile strikes, blackouts, and attacks on nuclear facilities if peace is truly the goal. Zelenskyy highlighted the relentless targeting of Ukraine’s energy sector, with nearly 58,000 workers laboring around the clock to repair power grids, generation plants, and heating networks. State companies like Ukrzaliznytsia have mobilized all resources in this grueling effort.
As diplomatic channels reopen, the world watches closely. Could this Moscow meeting pave the way for de-escalation? Or will it merely underscore the deep divides? The coming days will reveal whether Trump’s envoys can bridge the gap in this enduring standoff.