US President Donald Trump has announced he is sending his special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week, following what he described as a "fine-tuned" peace proposal for ending the war in Ukraine.
Diplomatic Breakthrough in Geneva
The development comes after intensive negotiations between American and Ukrainian officials in Geneva, where Kyiv has indicated support for the "essence" of a peace agreement. President Trump revealed that negotiators are getting "very close" to a deal, with reports suggesting Ukraine is prepared to "move forward" with the US-proposed framework.
In a significant shift from previous positions, President Trump has backed away from imposing a strict deadline for Ukraine to agree to the peace plan. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while travelling to Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday, he stated: "The deadline for me is when it's over."
The US president confirmed that Russian officials had agreed to some concessions during the talks, though he did not provide specific details about what these involved.
Military Developments Amid Diplomacy
As diplomatic efforts intensified, Ukraine reported successful strikes on multiple Russian airbases, including the destruction of an experimental A-60 airborne laser platform and a Russian Il-76 transport aircraft.
Commander Robert "Madyar" Brovdi of Ukraine's drone forces confirmed the strikes, which also targeted the Taganrog Aircraft Repair Plant and the Atlant Aero drone manufacturing facility in Rostov oblast. The A-60 aircraft, valued between $150 million and $480 million, was a rare Soviet-era experimental platform equipped with laser systems for missile defence and anti-satellite testing.
Meanwhile, Russian forces staged a mass drone attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, injuring at least seven people and causing significant damage to buildings and vehicles. Regional governor Ivan Fedorov reported that rescue operations were underway at twelve different locations following the assault.
International Response and Concerns
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described proposed changes to the draft peace plan as "constructive" and indicated they "could be accepted." Speaking during a Coalition of the Willing call, Starmer noted that talks were moving "in a positive direction" and welcomed developments that ensure the plan "fully reflects Ukraine's interests."
However, concerns persist about the potential terms of any agreement. Reports from Bloomberg revealed that special envoy Steve Witkoff had previously suggested to Kremlin officials that Ukraine might need to cede territory including the Donetsk region to achieve a peace deal.
President Trump defended his envoy's approach, describing Witkoff's reported tactics as "standard" negotiating procedure. "He's got to sell this to Ukraine. He's got to sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does," Trump told reporters.
The White House has indicated that President Trump will only meet with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky personally when the terms of a peace deal are "final." With Witkoff's upcoming Moscow visit and continued diplomatic engagement, all parties appear to be moving closer to that potentially historic moment.
