US envoys arrive in Moscow ahead of Ukraine talks with Putin, then Dublin

Envoys of President Donald Trump landed at Vnukovo airport outside Moscow in the morning. They were greeted by Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation. According to the RIA Nowosti news agency, the meeting with Putin was scheduled to begin at 12:00 local time, which is 10:00 in Poland.

The visit is the latest step in negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US and Russia took place in Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November. They were the first such negotiations since February. They produced no breakthrough, but the sides agreed a large exchange of prisoners of war.

Territory as the hardest issue

Jared Kushner said a prisoner exchange would take place soon. He also said that territory is among the most difficult questions. In his view, it will be resolved alongside the other issues. He added that post-war security arrangements cannot be put in place until an agreement on land is reached.

A new proposal for Russia

The Axios news site reported that Washington has asked Moscow to present a new proposal on a future security arrangement for Europe. The US had rejected similar demands in the past, but now appears willing to consider them as part of a wider deal to end the war. A US official also said the envoys want Putin to agree to European representatives taking part in the next round of Russia–Ukraine talks.

Dublin and the meeting with Zelensky

From Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner are due to fly to Dublin. There they plan to meet the Ukrainian president on Thursday evening. No specific decisions have been announced yet. The talks are worth following, as changes to the negotiations could affect the course of the war and security in Europe.