U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff stated that progress was made following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, announcing a new round of trilateral negotiations to settle the conflict in Ukraine. The meeting took place on Thursday, November 12, with Jared Kushner, son-in-law of the U.S. President, also representing the American side.
"Progress has been made": Washington renews the trilateral format
"I think progress has been made. I think it was made this morning. People didn't think we would renew the trilateral talks. We have renewed them. We have scheduled a new meeting," Witkoff said. According to him, it was during this meeting that the date for the next round was agreed upon, which, in the view of the American side, was an unexpected result of the dialogue in the Kremlin for many observers.
Europe to join the negotiation process
Witkoff separately announced that representatives of European countries will join subsequent negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine. "They are our partners, and it is important for them to participate," the special envoy emphasized. Jared Kushner, in turn, noted that European parties are interested in finally ending the conflict: "The Europeans want this war to actually end and for a lasting peace to follow it," he stated. According to industry media, it is "important for European participants to be involved" in the process.
Moscow's position: dialogue and "eternal peace"
In response to the proposal to include EU representatives in the next round, Vladimir Putin stated that Russia "has never objected to conducting a dialogue" with Europe. "You want this peace to be solid and lasting, and I confirm that I share this desire, and I would even say more. I want this peace to be eternal, forever," the Russian leader said. Thus, Moscow publicly confirmed its readiness to continue the negotiation track with the participation of European partners.
Context: From Abu Dhabi to a new round
During the meeting on November 12, Witkoff and Kushner discussed with Putin the results of a previously held trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi dedicated to resolving the war in Ukraine. Witkoff also stated that he intends to discuss the results of the negotiations with the Russian leader with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and convince Kyiv to choose the path of ending the conflict. The new round, according to the American side, is intended to be a continuation and expansion of the format formed in Abu Dhabi.
