Trump Envoys Hold Talks in Moscow and Kyiv as Kremlin Says Victory Is Near in Most Dangerous Countries
Trump envoys have held talks in Moscow and Kyiv as both Russia and Ukraine report that offense is outpacing defense in the war in most dangerous countries, with the Kremlin stating that every passing day worsens Ukraine’s negotiating position and that victory is very close. [1] [3]
Trump Envoys Shuttle Between Moscow and Kyiv
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Moscow to meet Putin and then Kyiv to meet Zelenskyy, discussing potential parameters for ending the war and short-term support for Ukraine. [4] The visits followed three rounds of talks in which the envoys addressed both the parameters for ending the war and short-term support for Ukraine. [4] Zelenskyy said the talks covered not only ending the war but also short-term support, and that new ideas for the next stage of peace negotiations were put forward. [4] The White House described the talks as substantive. [4] Exactly two months earlier Ukraine’s momentum had been discussed at a Nato summit, yet the situation has shifted since then. [1] The envoys’ shuttle diplomacy occurred while Russia continued to call the conflict a special military operation. [1]
Trump’s Direct Message to Putin
Trump told Putin in a phone call that he wants a swift end to the war in Ukraine to fully restore US-Russia ties. [2] Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Trump conveyed this message directly during the Tuesday conversation. [2] The call focused on achieving a swift end to the war as a step toward fully restoring US-Russia ties. [2]
Kremlin Position on Peace Terms and Victory
The Kremlin says Russia’s demands on Kyiv will toughen the longer the peace process drags on, and that victory is very close because Moscow is confident in its military. [3] Dmitry Peskov stated that every passing day worsens the position of the Kyiv regime and that Russia’s demands will toughen accordingly. [3] Peskov also said Moscow is confident that victory is very close and expressed faith in Russia’s military. [4] He noted that the war could already have ended if Ukrainian authorities had adopted the decisions specified by Russia. [4] Peskov declined to comment on messages the US envoys may have conveyed during their visit to Ukraine. [3]
Shifting Battlefield Dynamics in Most Dangerous Countries
Kremlin claims every passing day worsens Ukraine's negotiating position as Trump envoys visit Moscow and Kyiv. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Ukraine’s momentum discussed at a recent Nato summit has shifted, with Russia ramping up cruise missile launches while Ukraine has run out of air defenses. [1] Both sides now find that offense proves better than defense, creating a lose-lose situation on the battlefield. [1] Russia has increased cruise missile launches while Ukraine has depleted its air defenses to stop them. [1] Moscow has also struggled to stop incoming missiles. [1] The current dynamics raise questions about whether the conflict will wind down or escalate further. [1]
Trump envoys discuss ending the Ukraine war with Putin in Moscow. — Source: newsmax
Prospects for Winter De-escalation
The US is considering whether the war could be de-escalated during winter, leading to a peace agreement. [5] Zelenskyy told Axios that the United States is examining the possibility of de-escalation during the winter period that could lead to a peace agreement. [5] This consideration comes after the recent visits by the US envoys to both capitals. [5]
Next Steps in Mediation
Zelenskyy said the talks covered not only ending the war but also short-term support, and that new ideas for the next stage of peace negotiations were put forward. [4] Yuri Ushakov said Putin told the US envoys he is confident his war aims will be achieved. [4] The White House described the talks as substantive and announced that the next steps will be unveiled in the coming weeks. [4] Putin stated that the direct participants in the war should be the ones to negotiate an end to it. [4] Both sides reacted to the talks while indications emerged that further steps will be announced soon. [4]
What to watch next: The White House has said the next steps in the mediation process will be unveiled in the coming weeks while the Kremlin maintains that victory is very close.
