On Tuesday (Dec 2, 2025), Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner for a marathon meeting in the Kremlin. Lasting over four hours past midnight Moscow time, the talks aimed to find a path to peace in Ukraine 🕊️.
Clash of Proposals
The meeting came on the heels of two rival plans: a leaked U.S. draft that alarmed Kyiv and Brussels, and a European counter-offer tweaked into an "updated peace framework." Critics say the U.S. draft gave too much ground to Moscow—like limiting Ukraine’s military and conceding Russian control over a fifth of Ukrainian territory.
Warnings & Red Lines
Before talks even began, Putin warned Europe of a swift defeat if it joined the fight. He also threatened to sever Ukraine’s Black Sea access in response to drone attacks on Russia’s "shadow fleet"—a move Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called proof Moscow isn’t serious about peace.
Basis for Future Agreement?
Putin insisted the proposals on the table "could be the basis for future agreements," but cautioned that if Kyiv rejects them, Russia’s forces would push deeper into Ukrainian territory.
What's Next?
President Trump, who’s pushed for peace since a summit with Putin in August, described the situation in stark terms at a Washington cabinet meeting: "What a mess," he said, noting casualty figures of 25,000–30,000 per month. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is now working to recraft the plan to appease both Ukraine and its European allies.
With the world watching, this marathon meeting may signal a turning point—or another diplomatic stalemate. 🌍✨
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Putin meets U.S. envoy for over four hours to discuss Ukraine peace
cgtn.com
