Trump Announces Diplomatic Push for Ukraine Peace
President Donald Trump has revealed that his administration is making significant progress in efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, announcing that he is dispatching a special envoy to meet directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
The US leader made the announcement to journalists while travelling aboard Air Force One, confirming that special envoy Steve Witkoff would lead the American delegation in talks with the Russian president. Simultaneously, army secretary Dan Driscoll will meet with Ukrainian officials to coordinate diplomatic efforts.
Kushner's Potential Involvement and Shifting Timelines
In a notable development, President Trump indicated that his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, might participate in the Witkoff-Putin meeting, though this hasn't been confirmed. The potential involvement of Kushner, who has played significant roles in previous administration diplomatic initiatives, suggests the White House is prioritising these peace efforts.
The President also notably retreated from an earlier Thursday deadline that had been set for Ukraine to agree to a US-backed peace proposal. When questioned about timing, Trump stated: 'The deadline for me is when it's over', indicating a more flexible approach to negotiations than previously suggested.
Ongoing Peace Process and International Response
Trump characterised his plan to resolve the Ukraine conflict as 'making progress', though specific details about the proposal or what constitutes progress remain undisclosed. The simultaneous meetings with both Russian and Ukrainian officials suggest a coordinated diplomatic approach aimed at bridging differences between the conflicting parties.
The development comes amid ongoing international concern about the situation in Eastern Ukraine, where conflict has persisted for several years. The direct involvement of US envoys at this level indicates the Trump administration is committing substantial diplomatic resources to seeking a resolution to the protracted conflict.
