Witkoff and Kushner Seek to Visit Moscow for Putin Meeting Soon

U.S. presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are reportedly preparing for a visit to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to advance peace negotiations in Ukraine. The potential meeting comes after several weeks of diplomatic talks in Paris involving U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials.

Discussions in Paris have focused on creating binding security guarantees for Ukraine, including a U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism and a multinational force to support reconstruction and deter future Russian aggression. The Coalition of the Willing, a group of European nations, has also outlined plans for military hubs across Ukraine.

The U.S. has maintained a firm stance against direct military involvement in Ukraine, with President Donald Trump having ruled out deploying American troops. However, the U.S. is expected to continue its role in monitoring ceasefire efforts and providing long-term economic and military support according to reports.

Why Did This Happen?

The renewed diplomatic effort follows months of stalled progress in ending the war in Ukraine. Russian forces have intensified attacks on civilian infrastructure, particularly after Trump began his outreach to end the conflict.

The Paris talks marked a key step in building consensus on security guarantees, with the U.S., UK, France, and Germany all signaling their continued involvement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the need for tangible military and economic support from Western allies.

The Coalition of the Willing has proposed a framework for long-term deterrence, including intelligence sharing, sanctions on future aggression, and a verification mechanism to ensure compliance with any peace deal.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

With Trump and European leaders expected to meet in Davos later this month, the timing of any Putin meeting could carry significant weight. Analysts are monitoring whether the U.S. will provide further clarity on its role in monitoring a potential ceasefire.

The U.S. has also indicated it is preparing for new sanctions should Putin continue to reject peace talks. However, the focus remains on securing a deal that includes enforceable security commitments from Western nations.

The success of these diplomatic efforts will depend on whether Russia is willing to accept the proposed framework. Moscow has previously rejected any troop deployments from NATO-aligned countries as part of a peace deal.

The World Economic Forum in Davos will serve as a key venue for further discussions, with Kyiv hoping to finalize security and economic agreements with its Western partners.