The Kremlin expressed its hope on Tuesday that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff will provide President Vladimir Putin with a briefing regarding his discussions with Ukrainian and European leaders in Oslo, part of ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
Witkoff arrived in Norway on the same day for meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and officials from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland, along with representatives from the EU and NATO.
Reports indicate that Witkoff may be scheduled to meet Putin in Russia on Wednesday. Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and a participant in peace negotiations, is joining the discussions remotely due to illness.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “We hope that a meeting can be arranged in the very near future, and that the American negotiators, Mr. Witkoff, will be able to brief President Putin on their contacts with both the Ukrainians and the Europeans.”
Peskov further emphasized the significance of these meetings, saying that they allow for an exchange of views on important issues and expressing appreciation for the mediation efforts of American negotiators.
A U.S. official informed Axios that Witkoff aims to “present ideas developed in close consultation with Ukraine and European partners.” The official noted that President Trump has initiated a comprehensive peace proposal involving Ukraine and Europe, and the upcoming negotiations will test whether these ideas can facilitate serious discussions with Russia.
The New York Times reported that Trump is reportedly trying to press Zelensky into a deal that aligns closely with Russian interests. Putin has maintained that Ukraine must cede full control of the Donetsk region as a prerequisite for any ceasefire, a demand Kyiv has consistently rejected.
Sources close to the Kremlin have indicated that Putin anticipates full Russian control over the Donetsk region by late February 2027. Witkoff and Kushner last visited Russia on September 5, where discussions reportedly included considerations of a substantial oil deal involving Middle Eastern business executives connected to the U.S. negotiators.
