The meeting between Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin marks a decisive phase in U.S.-led negotiations as pressure mounts on Zelensky at home and abroad.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet on Tuesday in Moscow to review the proposal crafted by Donald Trump’s administration to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
The meeting comes amid growing diplomatic pressure on Kyiv and renewed Russian military advances, while European governments express unease about the preliminary elements of the plan.
It also highlights the proactive role of the United States in seeking a negotiated exit and the strategic attention Russia is giving to the renewed diplomatic push.
The White House expressed strong optimism on Monday regarding the revised plan, partly negotiated during recent talks in Florida with Ukrainian representatives. “I think the administration feels very optimistic,” said spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
Although the document has not yet been released, the initial draft reportedly included highly sensitive elements for Kyiv: the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from parts of Donetsk still under government control and U.S. recognition of Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea as belonging to Russia.
Diplomatic activity is intensifying just as President Volodymyr Zelensky begins a new round of international outreach to secure additional European backing.
After talks in Paris with Emmanuel Macron, Zelensky traveled to Ireland to receive an in-person briefing from negotiator Rustem Umerov.
There he was welcomed by Prime Minister Micheal Martin, who emphasized: “Our support for the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and democracy remains steadfast.”
Umerov described the progress made in Florida as “significant,” while acknowledging that crucial issues remain unresolved.
Zelensky also warned that Russia has increased its attacks in recent days. “Russia is intensifying missile and drone launches to break the will of Ukrainians. This creates serious pressure, both psychological and physical,” he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the current moment “could be decisive for the future of peace in Ukraine and the security of Europe.”
He stressed, however, that no territorial agreement can be finalized without Zelensky’s approval: “There is no finalized plan on territorial issues. Only President Zelensky can finalize it.”
Zelensky has insisted that Moscow must not receive concessions that could be interpreted as a reward for aggression. “The aggressor must pay for the aggression,” he said. During the Florida negotiations, both he and Macron held telephone conversations with Witkoff and Umerov, according to the Élysée.
Other leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, were also involved. The exchange continued Monday as Macron spoke with Donald Trump to discuss “next steps in the mediation efforts.”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that she fears “all the pressure will be placed on the weaker party,” implying that Ukraine could be pushed into an unfavorable agreement.
Meanwhile, Macron welcomed the new energy sanctions imposed by the United States on Russia, calling them “a game changer.” He added that he expects pressure on the Russian energy sector to reach “its highest level since the start of the war” in the coming weeks.
An analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that in November Russian forces achieved their most extensive territorial gains since late 2024. By the end of the month, Russia controlled all or part of 19.3% of Ukrainian territory.
The meeting between Witkoff and Putin therefore represents a pivotal moment: the first direct engagement between a U.S. envoy and the Russian leader since Trump relaunched his diplomatic initiative.
As Western allies await clarity on the final document, Kyiv is struggling to maintain its footing on an ever-shifting geopolitical landscape, where each signal may reshape the trajectory of a conflict that has now stretched beyond one thousand days.
