Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded high-level talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Thursday, focusing on a US-drafted plan to end the Ukraine war. The discussions lasted over three and a half hours and were attended by key figures, including Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, and Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s international economic affairs envoy.

The Kremlin described the meeting as “useful in every respect,” though no official statement confirmed concrete outcomes. Reports from US and Ukrainian officials indicated that progress was made on a 20-point plan aimed at ending the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has now spanned almost four years and is considered Europe’s largest war since World War II.

On Thursday, Kyiv announced agreement with Washington on post-war security guarantees, emphasizing the importance of deterrence against future Russian aggression. Despite progress, territorial disputes remain a major sticking point, particularly regarding Russia’s occupation of approximately 20% of Ukraine, including the Donbas region. Moscow has reportedly insisted on gaining full control over eastern Ukraine as part of any peace deal, while Kyiv maintains that ceding territory would embolden Russia and prevent a durable settlement.

Witkoff noted that the negotiations had narrowed to “down to one issue”, without specifying further, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that a draft deal was nearly ready. Zelensky confirmed he had aligned with Trump on post-war security arrangements, highlighting a significant step in the ongoing diplomatic effort.

Looking ahead, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov outlined the next steps, indicating that the Moscow meeting would be followed by security talks in Abu Dhabi between Russian, US, and Ukrainian officials. Admiral Igor Kostyukov will lead the Russian delegation at the security discussions, while Kirill Dmitriev will separately address economic issues with US envoy Steve Witkoff.

However, Ushakov stressed that a long-term settlement remains conditional on resolving the territorial question, referencing last year’s Trump-Putin Anchorage summit formula. Russia reiterated that durable peace is unlikely without addressing these territorial concerns, signaling that while diplomatic progress has been made, substantial challenges remain before a final agreement can be reached.

The Moscow talks underline the high-stakes nature of the US-led diplomatic initiative. The involvement of senior US envoys, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, signals Washington’s commitment to facilitating a peace plan, aiming to end one of the deadliest and most prolonged conflicts in Europe. Meanwhile, Kyiv continues to insist that any agreement must protect Ukrainian sovereignty and include robust security guarantees to prevent future escalation.

Observers note that the combination of political, military, and economic considerations makes the negotiations complex. With Moscow controlling significant portions of Ukrainian territory, the territorial dispute remains a key obstacle, even as the 20-point plan reportedly outlines mechanisms for a post-war security framework, reconstruction, and international oversight.

The Abu Dhabi security talks scheduled for Friday will therefore be crucial in determining whether a formal ceasefire or roadmap for peace can be established. Analysts expect discussions to cover both military de-escalation measures and economic sanctions relief, alongside reconstruction assistance, reflecting the intertwined nature of security and economic stabilization in Ukraine.

In conclusion, Putin’s meeting with US envoys marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to end the Ukraine war, yet major questions remain unresolved. The focus now shifts to Abu Dhabi, where security and economic negotiations involving Russia, the US, and Ukraine will attempt to bridge the remaining gaps. While territorial issues remain sensitive, the diplomatic momentum generated by these high-level talks offers cautious hope for a framework that could eventually pave the way for a lasting peace in the region.

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