U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff was due to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, taking to the Kremlin an embryonic peace plan that Washington hopes can bring about an end to the nearly four-year war in Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump is deploying officials to get traction for his peace proposals. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, will join the meeting between Putin and Witkoff, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
He said that the talks would take “as long as needed” and will involve only Witkoff, Kushner and an interpreter from the U.S. side.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Ireland on Tuesday to continue his European tour to sustain support against Russia’s invasion.
Trump’s plan for ending the war in Ukraine would cede land to Russia and limit the size of Kyiv’s military, according to a draft obtained last month by The Associated Press.
Here is the latest:
Zelenskyy says US taking ‘serious steps to end the war in one way or another’
Speaking at a press conference in Dublin, Zelenskyy said: “There are now 20 points that were drafted in Geneva, and were finalized in Florida. Some things still have to be worked on.
“From what I’ve seen, America takes serious steps to end the war in one way or another. And our mission, I am sure this is our common mission, of everyone in Europe, is to truly and this war and not just make a pause in hostilities.
“We need decent peace, and for it to truly happen, every one has to be on the side of peace.”
‘Ukraine belongs in the European Union’
Ireland’s leader announced 125 million euros ($145 million) in new funding for Ukraine during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Dublin on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Micheál Martin said his government will provide 100 million euros in non-lethal military assistance and 25 million euros to support Ukraine’s energy system.
He said Russia has been “deliberately, cynically” attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as winter approaches.
Martin said Ireland would try to push forward negotiations on Ukraine joining the European Union, saying: “Ukraine is part of our European family. It shares the same values. It belongs in the European Union.”
Zelenskyy arrives in Ireland
Zelenskyy was received at Government Buildings in Dublin by an honor guard and a military band playing the Ukrainian and Irish national anthems.
Earlier he visited President Catherine Connolly at her official residence. He wrote in the visitor’s book: “On behalf of the people of Ukraine, I express my sincere gratitude for Ireland’s steadfast support during our fight against Russian aggression.”
By The Associated Press
