US Envoys Meet Putin in New Ukraine Peace Push

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The meeting, part of a new diplomatic push by the Trump administration, aimed to present a proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. President Donald Trump stated the envoys were bringing "a proposal to end the war." Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the more than three-hour discussion as "highly useful."

Both Moscow and Kyiv announced a three-day ceasefire to coincide with the envoys' travel. Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Kyiv on Sunday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This marks their second visit to the Kremlin this year and their eighth since the war began.

The Moscow Meeting

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the talks were "substantive, very frank and constructive." He stated that Witkoff and Kushner "outlined a number of ideas regarding possible avenues for a settlement." The meeting was held in the Red Drawing Room at the Kremlin. Videos showed Putin telling his guests the situation was "not an easy one."

Al Jazeera's correspondent in Moscow, Yulia Shapovalova, noted the key question is whether Russia is willing to compromise. Moscow's demands include preventing Ukraine from joining NATO and the formal handover of four Ukrainian regions. Russia proclaimed the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia in September 2022, a move not recognized internationally. Ukraine has refused to cede territory.

The Trump administration has ruled out a NATO seat for Ukraine, aligning with one of Russia's key demands. The presence of US Treasury official Gene Lang in the delegation indicated that sanctions on Russia were likely part of the discussions.

Envoys' Background and Scepticism

Steve Witkoff is the US special envoy, previously appointed to the Middle East before being tasked with helping end the Ukraine conflict. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, played a major role in the 2020 Abraham Accords. The details of their new Ukraine peace plan remain unclear, though Trump said last week, "we have an idea for peace."

Experts say Ukrainians are sceptical of the US envoys. Alexey Muraviev, a senior research fellow at Edith Cowan University in Australia, said the view in Ukraine is that "Witkoff, and to some extent Kushner, are most susceptible to accepting Russia’s narrative." This perception was highlighted by Witkoff's remarks to Putin. He thanked the Russian president for the limited ceasefire and said, "we will have all these incredible stories and memories, and yours will be right at the top of it all."

Al Jazeera's correspondent in Kyiv, Audrey McAlpine, explained that such tone "won’t sit well with Ukrainians." She said the interaction indicated a "familiarity between Witkoff and Putin."

Current War Status and Attacks

A temporary halt in attacks on each other's capitals was announced to ensure the envoys' safe travel. However, fighting continued elsewhere. At least seven people were killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine. A Ukrainian drone attack killed one person in Russia's Belgorod region.

In recent months, both sides have intensified drone strikes. Ukraine's increased production of low-cost, long-range drones has led to more attacks on industrial sites deep within Russia. Alexey Muraviev pointed to "growing concerns about the level of Ukraine’s resilience" due to damage to infrastructure ahead of winter. He added that Putin is seeking a long-term strategic deal.

Recent drone incidents in Europe, including a failed explosion at Germany's Leipzig airport and a fire at a Polish drone factory, have raised suspicions of Russian involvement. No proof has been published.

Trump's Motivations and Next Steps

President Trump has stated that tens of thousands of people are dying on both sides every month. During his 2024 re-election campaign, he promised to end the war within 24 hours, a deadline since revised. Recent steps are seen as an attempt to revive US-Russia relations after stalled diplomacy.

The push comes as the separate Iran war remains deadlocked and is domestically unpopular ahead of important US midterm elections in November. A peace agreement in Ukraine could provide a major political boost for Trump. Media reports suggest he is expected to meet Putin again in November during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in China. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said Moscow has not ruled out a trilateral meeting between the Russian, Chinese, and US presidents.