Former US President Donald Trump has announced he is dispatching special envoys to both Moscow and Kyiv, declaring his strategy to end the war in Ukraine has been “fine-tuned”. This development sets the stage for a day of intense diplomatic activity, with European Union leaders preparing to debate the controversial proposals.
US Envoys Deployed for High-Stakes Talks
The Trump administration is sending envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is tasked with engaging Ukrainian officials. This move signals a significant push by the US to mediate a resolution to the protracted conflict. However, the plan has already encountered early turbulence. Russia has indicated its dissatisfaction with certain counterproposals, suggesting fundamental issues remain unresolved despite the confident rhetoric from the US.
EU Enters the Fray with Urgent Debriefing
As the US initiative unfolds, the European Union is mobilising its own response. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to address the European Parliament to provide a comprehensive debriefing for EU lawmakers on the latest state of the talks. This address will be followed by a coordinated call between EU foreign ministers later this morning, underscoring the bloc's vested interest in the outcome and its commitment to a unified position.
Revelations of Pre-Existing Envoy Contacts
The urgency of today's discussions is amplified by overnight revelations concerning the US peace plan. A recording obtained by Bloomberg reveals that Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, held a conversation with a senior Kremlin official last month. In that discussion, Witkoff reportedly advised that achieving peace would likely require Russia gaining control of the Donetsk region, with the potential for a separate territorial exchange. This disclosure adds a complex layer to the already delicate negotiations and is certain to influence the EU's assessment of the US-led initiative.
All eyes are now on Brussels and the conflicting capitals as the international community awaits the next steps in this high-stakes diplomatic effort to end the war in Ukraine.
