Putin and Trump’s Envoys Discuss Ukraine Resolution in Extended Meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in lengthy discussions with special envoys from U.S. President Donald Trump overnight, focusing on resolving the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin emphasized that overcoming territorial disputes is essential to establish a peace agreement.
The talks, which extended past 3 a.m. Friday, followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s stern criticism of his European allies just hours earlier. He expressed frustration over their slow and piecemeal responses to Russia’s extensive invasion, suggesting that Ukraine is vulnerable under Putin’s aggressive stance while the U.S. pushes for diplomatic resolution.
Kremlin foreign affairs advisor Yuri Ushakov, who was present at the meeting with Putin and Trump’s envoys, including Steve Witkov and Jared Kushner, indicated that a long-term solution hinges on addressing territorial issues. He pointed out the necessity for Ukraine to withdraw troops from regions in the east that Russia has unlawfully annexed, though does not fully control.
After his meeting with Trump in Davos, Switzerland, Zelenskiy mentioned that a peace plan is “almost ready,” although the future of territories occupied by Russia in eastern Ukraine is still unclear.
Ushakov shared with reporters that discussions among officials from Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. are set to continue, focusing on security matters connected to a potential peace deal in the United Arab Emirates.
During the Kremlin talks, described as “frank and constructive,” Putin’s special envoys received updates about the previous discussions between Trump and Zelenskiy, as well as talks involving European representatives.
Joining Witkov and Kushner was Josh Gruenbaum, a senior advisor to Trump’s Peace Commission, which Russia has been invited to. Meanwhile, Putin reiterated his suggestion to allocate $1 billion from frozen Russian assets in the U.S. to support Gaza reconstruction.
When asked about using frozen Russian funds for peace initiatives, Trump shared his approval, saying, “If he’s using his own money, that’s great.”
Trump and Zelensky’s Meeting
Zelenskiy had a productive hour-long private discussion with Trump at the World Economic Forum, describing their encounter as meaningful. Upon returning to Washington aboard Air Force One, Trump commented that both Putin and Zelenskiy were eager for a resolution, noting that “everyone is making concessions” to conclude the conflict.
Trump acknowledged that the deadlock in negotiations remains unchanged from earlier discussions, stressing that “boundaries” continue to be a major sticking point. Since the conflict started in 2014 and escalated with a full invasion in 2022, Russia has seized approximately 20% of Ukraine. Yet, these military gains along the extensive front are costing Russia heavily, and the country’s economy is under pressure from the ongoing war and international sanctions.
On the ground, Ukraine struggles with financial limitations and military resources, despite ramping up its weapons production. Reports have emerged of around 200,000 deserters and about 2 million Ukrainians avoiding the draft.
Zelensky Criticizes European Allies
In his address at the World Economic Forum following the meeting with Trump, Zelenskiy aired out his grievances against European allies. While some nations have provided military and humanitarian support, he criticized the sluggishness and inconsistent efforts of EU member states.
He expressed his frustration with Europe’s perceived inaction, stating, “Europe seems to have lost its way,” and called for the continent to assert itself as a global force. Reflecting on his previous speeches, he noted the lack of progress made in the past year by pointing out that he had used similar rhetoric the year before.
Zelenskiy also criticized Europe for inadequate spending on defense, sluggish decision-making, and its hesitance to use frozen Russian assets for financing Ukraine’s needs amidst the ongoing war.
Upcoming Talks in the UAE
Zelenskiy announced a trilateral meeting involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia scheduled to begin on Friday in the United Arab Emirates. He emphasized that the Russians need to be open to compromise, underscoring the mutual necessity for flexibility in negotiations.
Kremlin aide Ushakov confirmed Russia’s participation in the discussions in Abu Dhabi, expressing hopes for progress toward resolving the conflict and achieving a peaceful resolution. He added that the Russian delegation would be led by Admiral Igor Koshchukov, with Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev slated for separate economic discussions with Witkov during the talks.
