Trump Sends Envoy to Moscow as US Pushes to Finalize Ukraine Peace Deal

US President Donald Trump has announced that he is sending his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow next week for high-level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Washington intensifies efforts to seal a long-awaited peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine.

Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform, said there were “only a few remaining points of disagreement” in negotiations, even as Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities continued. He added that he hopes to meet “soon” with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but “ONLY when the deal to end this war is FINAL or in its final stages.” The president later told journalists aboard Air Force One that his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, may accompany Witkoff to Moscow.

The renewed push for a settlement reportedly began after discussions between Witkoff and a top Kremlin foreign policy adviser, during which Witkoff encouraged the drafting of a 20-point peace plan for Ukraine “just like we did in Gaza.” That plan replaced an earlier 28-point proposal, widely criticised as overly favourable to Moscow. A revised version—described by an official familiar with it as “significantly better”—now includes more provisions aligned with Kyiv’s interests.

Witkoff’s upcoming talks with Putin will focus on this updated document. However, European leaders remain cautious. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking after consultations with pro-Ukraine allies, said there is “clearly no Russian willingness” for a ceasefire