US negotiators led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for over five hours. But there is still no agreement.
Dec 3, 2025, 5:19 amDec 3, 2025, 5:29 am
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Russia and the United States appear to have come no closer to ending the war in Ukraine at a lengthy meeting in the Kremlin, but Moscow says the dialogue will continue. President Vladimir Putin spoke for more than five hours with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Fun group: Putin advisor Yuri Ushakov, Putin and Steve Witkoff in the foreground.Image: keystone
That’s what the Russians say
Russia and the United States appear to have come no closer to ending the war in Ukraine at a lengthy meeting in the Kremlin, but Moscow says the dialogue will continue. President Vladimir Putin spoke for more than five hours with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Putin advisor Yuri Ushakov spoke of constructive, content-rich and useful discussions. It was agreed not to make the negotiating line public.
Putin gave the US representatives friendly but also political signals for Trump, said Ushakov without giving further details. According to him, there was also talk about a new beginning of economic cooperation between Russia and the USA. Moscow is interested in lifting the harsh US sanctions that are increasingly affecting Russia’s economy.
That’s what the Americans say
Nothing yet for now. They first want to inform Donald Trump about the talks – and then get back in touch with Russia.
There was no talk of contacts with Ukraine, even though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a visit to Dublin that he was waiting for the results of the Russian-American meeting in Moscow.
For Trump confidant Witkoff, it was the sixth meeting with Putin this year, while Kushner took part in such a conversation for the first time. Both represent the part of the US administration that is counting on a rapid resumption of economic relations with Russia.
The framework conditions
At the end of November, a US peace plan with 28 points became public, which was then criticized as a “Russian wish list” and a de facto declaration of surrender by Ukraine. It has been undergoing changes in recent days because many proposals were unacceptable to Ukraine and its European supporters. Most recently, American and Ukrainian representatives worked bilaterally on the plan, followed by the meeting in the Kremlin.
Speaking to reporters, Vladimir Putin criticized changes made to Trump’s original 28-point peace plan at the insistence of Europeans. Europe’s proposals were aimed at blocking the peace process, Putin said, according to the Interfax agency.
With regard to Trump’s plan, the EU states have made it clear several times that they will not accept a violent relocation of borders in Europe. Only Ukraine can decide on its territories.
Putin threatens Europe
In this context, Vladimir Putin had a message for Europe shortly before the talks with the USA. He threatened:
«We don’t intend to fight with Europe, I’ve said that 100 times. But if Europe wants to fight again and starts, then we are ready to do so immediately.”
Putin began the war of aggression against Ukraine, which violated international law, in February 2022 when he had his troops invade the neighboring country. Ukraine is also part of Europe.
NATO meets in Brussels – without Rubio
Support for Ukraine will also be discussed at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels today. At their last regular meeting this year, the focus will also be on expanding deterrence and defense – especially with a view to Russia.
Discussions about airspace violations by Russian fighter jets and drones as well as suspected Russian acts of sabotage in Europe are also expected. Most recently, Poland accused the Russian secret service of having organized an explosive attack on a Polish railway line.
However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the chief diplomat of the most important NATO state, is missing from the meeting in Brussels. He is represented by his deputy Christopher Landau. A valid reason for Rubio’s cancellation was not given. A spokesman simply said that it would be completely unrealistic to expect Rubio at every meeting of the military alliance – especially since the minister has already taken part in dozens of meetings with NATO allies. The fact that a US Secretary of State does not personally attend a formal NATO foreign ministers’ meeting is highly unusual – and, given the agenda, sends less than positive signals to Ukraine. (sda/dpa/con)