U.S.–Russia–Ukraine Diplomacy Accelerates as Witkoff and Kushner Arrive in Moscow for High-Stakes Talks

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The Trump administration’s push to broker an end to the nearly four-year war in Ukraine entered a volatile new phase Tuesday, as White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The U.S. State Department confirmed that Witkoff and Kushner met Ukrainian negotiators in Hallandale Beach on Sunday alongside Rubio. Witkoff then continued on to Kyiv, where he briefed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and national security adviser Rustem Umerov on the Florida discussions. According to the State Department, the mission now turns to Moscow, where Witkoff and Kushner are expected to present U.S. positions directly to Putin.

Rubio: Peace Must Preserve Ukrainian Sovereignty

Speaking Sunday, Secretary Rubio said the objective extends far beyond securing a ceasefire. “The end goal is obviously not just the end of the war,” he stated. “We want to see the end of the killing and the suffering… but it’s also about securing an end to the war that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent, and with an opportunity at real prosperity.”

President Trump echoed that sentiment aboard Air Force One, emphasizing the human cost of the conflict. “A lot of people are being killed. Last month, we had 27,000 people killed in that ridiculous war,” he told reporters. “I think there is a good chance we can make a deal.”

Trump also pointed to corruption concerns in Ukraine and said both Kyiv and Moscow “would like to see it end.”

Moscow Signals Interest — and Hard Lines

Putin has repeatedly signaled that Russia is open to “serious” peace negotiations but maintains uncompromising terms: Ukrainian withdrawal from contested territories and restrictions on Kyiv’s military. “If they don’t withdraw, we will achieve this by force,” he reportedly said.

Ahead of Tuesday’s talks, Putin sharpened his rhetoric, warning that Europe’s insistence on tougher guarantees for Ukraine is obstructing the U.S.-led peace process.

“Europe is preventing the U.S. administration from achieving peace in Ukraine,” he said. “If Europe starts a war with Russia, Moscow will soon have no one to negotiate with.”

He further threatened to target tankers belonging to nations aiding Ukraine after Kyiv reportedly struck Russian vessels in the Black Sea. Russia has also intensified strikes on Ukrainian ports and energy infrastructure as winter conditions worsen.

Leaked U.S.-Backed Peace Plan Sparks Outcry

The talks come amid controversy surrounding a leaked 28-point peace proposal allegedly drafted by Witkoff with Russian input. The document — which included Ukrainian territorial concessions, abandonment of Ukraine’s bid to join NATO, and demilitarization requirements — generated alarm in Kyiv and among European allies. Zelenskyy rejected such provisions as tantamount to capitulation.

Rubio has insisted that U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators made “major progress” during follow-up talks in Geneva on Nov. 23, though key disagreements remain.

Ukraine Under Pressure as Russia Advances

The diplomatic sprint comes as Ukrainian forces face mounting battlefield pressure. Russian officials told Putin Monday that troops had captured Pokrovsk, a critical logistics hub in eastern Ukraine. Putin vowed to escalate military action if necessary, declaring that Russia is “ready right now” should Europe escalate the conflict.

A Pivotal Moment for Trump’s Foreign Policy

Securing a peace agreement in Ukraine would mark a major breakthrough for President Trump, who has repeatedly pledged to end the war swiftly. A proposed Trump-Putin summit in Hungary has yet to materialize, but the Moscow visit by Witkoff and Kushner suggests the administration is moving aggressively to revive stalled negotiations.

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