Trump’s envoys take an undisclosed Ukraine proposal from Moscow to Kyiv

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held more than three hours of talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow about possible avenues for ending the Ukraine war and were due to meet Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.[2][4] The Kremlin called the meeting “highly useful” but disclosed no breakthrough or details of the ideas presented, while Donald Trump has not said whether his proposal requires Ukraine to cede territory.[2][4] Why it matters: The mission tests whether Washington can narrow fundamental disagreements over territory and Ukrainian security after earlier negotiations failed, even as Russia maintains that Ukraine must relinquish four claimed regions and abandon its plan to join NATO.[2][4][5] Key insights: Russia and Ukraine vowed not to strike each other’s capitals during the talks, with the Kremlin announcing a three-day pause in strikes on Kyiv.[2] | The Kremlin described Putin’s demand for all four claimed regions and Ukrainian abandonment of NATO ambitions as “unshakeable.”[2][4] | A Kremlin-connected source said Putin remained intent on capturing more territory, while Western analysts considered the suggested timetable for securing the rest of Donetsk remote given Russia’s slow progress.[4] | Long-range attacks by both sides have intensified since the last US-mediated talks, while the front lines have remained largely static and Russia has made gradual gains.[2][4] Cheatsheet facts: What changed: Witkoff and Kushner presented settlement ideas to Putin and continued to Kyiv for talks with Zelensky.[2][4] | Why now: Washington is attempting to restart diplomacy after previous efforts stalled and aerial and maritime attacks intensified.[2][4][5] | Watch next: Watch for statements after the Kyiv meeting specifying territorial terms, security guarantees or any extension of the temporary restraint on strikes against the capitals.[2][5]