In a significant diplomatic move, former US President Donald Trump has confirmed he is dispatching a trusted envoy to Moscow for high-stakes talks with Vladimir Putin, aiming to rescue a proposed peace deal to end the war in Ukraine.
The Diplomatic Push
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump announced that his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has been directed to meet with President Putin in the Russian capital. Simultaneously, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is set to hold separate discussions with Ukrainian officials.
Trump asserted that his plan to conclude the conflict has been "fine-tuned" and revealed that he, along with Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials, would be briefed on all progress. He did, however, temper expectations for an immediate leaders' summit, stating a personal meeting with both Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky would only occur once the deal is in its final stages.
International Reactions and Stumbling Blocks
This fresh diplomatic initiative follows reports that the Ukrainian delegation agreed on the terms of a potential deal with the US over the weekend. Trump claimed there are now only "a few remaining points of disagreement."
However, the path to peace has faced international hurdles. Last week, Britain and European allies voiced strong opposition to the initial White House proposals, which reportedly required Ukraine to cede significant territory to Russia and accept limits on its military size.
In a more recent development, Prime Minister Keir Starmer struck an optimistic tone. Leading a call with European allies from the Cabinet Room in Number 10, Starmer stated that ceasefire talks were "moving in a positive direction." He welcomed the progress and noted that Ukraine had proposed "constructive changes" to the draft plan, which were supported by European national security advisers.
A Cautious Path Forward
The situation remains delicate. While the separate meetings in Moscow and with Ukrainian officials indicate a concerted effort to bridge the final gaps, the earlier resistance from key Western powers underscores the complexity of achieving a lasting and acceptable peace.
All eyes will now be on the outcomes of the talks involving Envoy Witkoff and Secretary Driscoll, as the international community waits to see if this latest scramble can indeed bring the conflict closer to a resolution.
