URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump has 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, in Moscow, despite no immediate breakthroughs in peace negotiations. This development comes as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate.
During a press briefing in the Oval Office, Trump stated, “I don’t know what the Kremlin is doing… their impression was that they’d like to see the war ended.” This meeting aimed to address the nearly four-year Russian invasion of Ukraine, but the lack of a definitive agreement has left many questions unanswered.
Witkoff and Kushner’s discussions with Putin were described as extensive, yet they yielded no substantial outcomes. Trump acknowledged, “What comes out of that meeting? I can’t tell you, because it does take two to tango.” The urgency of these talks highlights the critical need for a resolution as both sides remain locked in a stalemate.
In a notable move, Witkoff and Kushner have invited Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov to Miami for further peace discussions. This invitation underscores the ongoing commitment to finding a diplomatic solution amidst the turmoil.
According to officials, both U.S. and Russian delegations expressed a desire for continued dialogue. However, Russian aide Yuri Ushakov noted that, “So far no compromise option has been found,” indicating significant hurdles remain in the negotiation process. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was not part of the Moscow delegation, confirmed that “some progress” had been made, but emphasized that “we’re still not close enough.”
The crux of the peace negotiations now hinges on two critical points: territory concessions and security guarantees. Ukraine has steadfastly refused to cede any territory to Russia, while Moscow demands withdrawal from the Donbas region. Rubio remarked, “What they’re literally fighting over now is about a 30-to-50 kilometer space… and the 20% of the Donetsk region that remains.” This territorial dispute remains a major sticking point in the negotiations.
As geopolitical experts analyze the situation, the outlook for peace remains uncertain. John Hardie from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies warned that without Russian willingness to compromise, a deal that satisfies both Kyiv and Moscow is unlikely. “Until that changes, President Trump’s diplomatic efforts are unlikely to produce a deal,” he stated.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also closely monitoring developments, with plans for negotiators to meet with European leaders in Brussels to discuss the outcomes of the Kremlin meeting. The geopolitical stakes are high, and the urgency for a resolution is palpable.
As this situation continues to unfold, the world watches closely to see if Trump’s diplomatic engagement will lead to a breakthrough in the ongoing conflict. The potential for a lasting peace remains in the balance, and both sides must navigate their differences to end the war that has caused immense suffering and loss.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as both the U.S. and Russian officials continue their efforts to bring about a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
