President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to travel to Moscow on Monday to present a U.S. peace plan to Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a critical moment in the Trump administration’s efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Witkoff’s trip follows high-level talks in Florida with Ukrainian officials, aimed at crafting a deal that both Kyiv and Moscow might accept. The Kremlin confirmed that Witkoff is scheduled to meet Putin on Tuesday, with preparations including multiple closed-door meetings by the Russian leader, according to a spokesperson.
Despite the diplomatic push, expectations for immediate agreement remain low. Putin has reiterated that he will not compromise, emphasizing that Ukraine must withdraw from territory claimed by Russia and suggesting that Moscow is content to continue its campaign until Kyiv concedes. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is traveling to Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, signaling continued European support as U.S.-Russia discussions dominate global attention. Reports indicate that the Florida meeting involved a revised 19-point peace proposal, addressing issues such as security guarantees for Ukraine, the status of frozen Russian assets, and potential elections, but the core question of Russian demands for Ukrainian territory in the Donbas remains unresolved. Both Ukrainian and U.S. officials described the Florida discussions as productive, though sensitive topics will be addressed further during Witkoff’s upcoming talks in Moscow. Zelenskyy described the meetings as “very constructive,” noting that difficult issues still require negotiation, while U.S. officials emphasized the goal of not only ending the war but securing a more prosperous future for Ukraine.