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Trump Envoy Steve Witkoff to Meet Putin in Moscow as U.S.-Ukraine Talks Continue

Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy, will travel to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin on Tuesday after participating in follow-up talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Florida. Both sides described the Florida meetings as "productive," but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that "some tough issues" remain. The main obstacles are security guarantees for Ukraine and potential territorial concessions to Russia. President Trump said he will not set a deadline, adding, "My deadline is when the war is over."

12:04 AM, 12/02/2025Conflict
Trump Envoy Steve Witkoff to Meet Putin in Moscow as U.S.-Ukraine Talks Continue

President Trump’s special envoy for peace missions, Steve Witkoff, will travel to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, a White House official confirmed. Witkoff is scheduled to depart Monday after taking part in follow-up discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Florida.

Both U.S. and Ukrainian delegations described Sunday’s talks as "productive," but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that there are still "some tough issues" to work through. Senior officials identified security guarantees for Ukraine and potential territorial concessions to Russia as the most difficult points to resolve.

Where the talks stand

President Trump told reporters the negotiations were "going well" and suggested Russia may be willing to pursue an end to the fighting, but he said he is not imposing a deadline on President Putin. "My deadline is when the war is over," Trump said.

Incentives and pressure

In October, the president imposed sanctions on two of Russia’s largest oil companies, citing frustration with Moscow’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire. At the same time, Trump has resisted a congressional sanctions bill targeting purchasers of Russian oil and has withheld long-range missiles to Ukraine — measures U.S. officials say are intended to increase bargaining leverage with Russia.

Conflict background

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory in addition to areas seized in 2014, including the Crimean peninsula and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. Ukraine’s armed forces prevented a full takeover and reclaimed territory in the first year of the war, but advances have slowed as the conflict has continued.

Witkoff’s meeting with Putin will be watched closely by Kyiv and Western capitals for signals about whether the remaining gaps on security guarantees and territorial issues can be bridged and whether those talks could lead to a ceasefire or broader settlement.

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