Moscow and Dublin: US Envoys Head to Key Ukraine Talks
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff meet Putin before flying to Ireland to discuss a new European security framework.
By Lucas Sheridan ·
US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, November 12. Axios reported that the pair will then travel to Dublin that same evening to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The envoys plan to renew President Donald Trump's request for Russia to propose a new security agreement with Europe. This proposed arrangement aims to lower tensions between Russia and other European nations. Washington previously resisted Russian demands to shrink NATO's military footprint in Eastern Europe. The administration now appears more open to those ideas as it seeks to end the war, according to Axios sources. Many European governments remain skeptical of the US approach.
These meetings follow initial talks in Abu Dhabi earlier this week. Russian and Ukrainian officials met with US mediators there for the first time since February. Trump told reporters he observed a strong desire to end the conflict and noted US involvement in the process. He stated, "Both sides are tired of fighting." The Abu Dhabi discussions concluded on Wednesday. Kushner described the exchanges as "pretty tough discussions." One source told Axios the atmosphere started tense but improved after both sides presented their positions.
A US official spoke to Reuters about the ongoing negotiations. The official described the process as requiring time but expressed "cautious optimism that progress could be made." Both sides indicated privately that there is room for compromise. Any deal regarding territory would likely occur near the end of negotiations, after postwar security matters are settled.
Trump mentioned last week that he held a private meeting with Kirill Dmitriev, a key envoy for Putin. He suggested a resolution to the conflict could be reached soon. In remarks at the White House, Trump claimed the war was nearing a settlement and said ending it might involve all of Europe.
Trump pledged to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict when he took office in 2025. His administration continues to pursue discussions with both parties. The upcoming meetings in Moscow and Dublin are the next step in that effort.
