U.S. Envoy Meets Putin to Push Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan
Kremlin Hosts Trump’s Special Envoy
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, at the Kremlin on Friday, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The meeting, part of ongoing diplomatic efforts, aims to advance a US-proposed peace plan to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
Witkoff, who has visited Russia three times in recent months, was accompanied by one US official, while Putin was joined by foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov and investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
Video footage released by the Kremlin showed Putin and Witkoff shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries before sitting across from each other at a large oval table.
Peskov confirmed the talks to Interfax, stating, “President Putin is receiving President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin.”
Details of the Proposed Plan
The US proposal reportedly includes recognizing Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea, freezing the conflict along current front lines, and acknowledging Moscow’s control over parts of four former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia.
The plan also seeks to block Ukraine’s NATO membership and gradually lift sanctions on Russia. These terms have sparked significant opposition, particularly from Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky rejected the plan, particularly opposing any recognition of Crimea as Russian territory.
In response, President Trump warned on Wednesday that Ukraine’s refusal could lead to severe consequences for the country’s stability.
Western Response and Postponed Talks
The diplomatic push has faced hurdles. Witkoff and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipped a Ukraine-focused meeting in London this week, following Zelensky’s rejection of the US proposal.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed to AFP that a planned meeting of foreign ministers supporting Kyiv was postponed indefinitely, though technical-level discussions will continue.
The talks underscore deepening US-Russia efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict, despite resistance from Ukraine and its Western allies.