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Witkoff, Kushner arrive in Moscow following Ukraine peace talks, Russian state media reports
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have arrived in Moscow after two days of Ukraine peace talks produced no meaningful breakthrough. Their planned meeting with President Vladimir Putin continues diplomatic efforts to end the war, while President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to receive a briefing afterwards.
The 10–11 November talks in Abu Dhabi yielded an agreement on a new prisoner-of-war exchange, Ukrainian delegation head Rustem Umerov said. Delegates also discussed a broader peace settlement and Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction. Kushner said the envoys saw “some openings and some opportunities”; they are due to brief Zelensky in Dublin, where he will attend an informal EU leaders’ meeting on 13 November.
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In short
- US envoys arrived in Moscow after Ukraine peace talks stalled.
- They plan to meet Vladimir Putin.
- Talks secured a new prisoner exchange agreement.
How this story developed
- 27 minutes ago US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on 12 November after two days of Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi failed to achieve a meaningful breakthrough.
- 32 minutes ago US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have arrived in Moscow after two days of Ukraine peace talks produced no meaningful breakthrough.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Direct talks with Russia may offer a route to ending the war that continued fighting cannot, and the prisoner exchange shows negotiations can produce concrete humanitarian gains. Supporters can argue that exploring possible openings and discussing reconstruction is worthwhile even without an immediate breakthrough, provided Ukraine remains involved in decisions about its future.
The case against
A meeting in Moscow may bring little progress if Russia is unwilling to accept terms that respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, while the absence of a meaningful breakthrough gives reason for caution. Critics can argue that diplomacy should not create pressure on Ukraine to accept an unjust settlement, and that any proposals must be assessed with Ukraine fully informed and able to decide.
Explained simply
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the war has continued despite repeated attempts to negotiate an end to the fighting. Any peace settlement would have to address issues such as territory, security and how Ukraine would rebuild.
The United States has sought to bring the two sides towards an agreement, while Ukraine and Russia have held talks through direct and indirect channels. Jared Kushner is a US political figure and Steve Witkoff a US envoy; Volodymyr Zelensky is Ukraine’s president, and Vladimir Putin is Russia’s president. Rustem Umerov leads Ukraine’s delegation in the negotiations.
Prisoner exchanges are one area where the countries have sometimes reached agreements, even as wider negotiations remain difficult. The outcome of any settlement would affect Ukraine’s future security and Russia’s relations with Ukraine and other countries.
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Europe Russia-Ukraine War World