UPDATE: In a startling revelation, President Donald Trump confirmed that U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner had a “reasonably good meeting” with Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 2, 2025. Despite no immediate breakthroughs, Trump emphasized the urgency for peace talks amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
During a press briefing in the Oval Office on December 3, 2025, Trump stated, “I don’t know what the Kremlin is doing. I can tell you that they had a reasonably good meeting with President Putin. We’re going to find out.” He noted that the war in Ukraine, which has persisted for nearly four years, “should have never been started.”
The discussions took place at the Kremlin in Moscow, where Putin was joined by his economic envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, and aide Yuri Ushakov. Trump reiterated the need for a resolution, stating, “He would like to end the war,” reflecting the sentiments from the U.S. delegation.
In an effort to advance peace talks, Witkoff and Kushner have invited Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary, to Miami for further negotiations. This initiative comes as both sides aim to address critical issues that have stalled progress, including territory concessions and security guarantees.
While no formal agreement was reached during the Moscow meeting, Kremlin officials acknowledged the discussions as constructive. Ushakov remarked, “We agreed on some things… while others caused criticism.” However, he concluded that the dialogue was “very useful,” hinting at potential progress.
In the wake of these developments, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has scheduled a meeting with European leaders in Brussels to analyze the outcomes of the Kremlin discussions. He expressed the importance of aligning with allies to navigate the ongoing conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who did not participate in the Moscow meeting, noted that while there has been “some progress” on a truce proposal, significant hurdles remain. He emphasized that the core of the negotiations centers on the contentious issue of Ukrainian territory, particularly the Donbas region, which Russia seeks to control.
Rubio stated, “What they’re literally fighting over now is about a 30-to-50 kilometer space and the 20% of the Donetsk region that remains.” He added that any peace plan must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term security to prevent future invasions.
Experts are closely monitoring the situation, with some cautioning that without substantial concessions from the Kremlin, a peace deal remains elusive. John Hardie, Deputy Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, asserted, “Until the Kremlin is willing to make the necessary compromises, President Trump’s diplomatic efforts are unlikely to yield a viable solution.”
As the world watches these developments unfold, the urgency for a peaceful resolution intensifies. Trump’s ability to mediate between both parties may be crucial in shaping the future of Ukraine and its relations with Russia.
The next steps remain critical, as Witkoff and Kushner prepare for their upcoming discussions in Miami. The international community is hopeful that these talks may finally pave the way for a resolution to one of the most pressing conflicts of our time.
