On a crisp December afternoon, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner found themselves strolling across Red Square, the iconic centerpiece of Moscow.
Accompanied by Russia’s investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, the two American figures—Witkoff acting as a special envoy for President Donald Trump and Kushner as the president’s son-in-law—were taking in the historic surroundings before stepping into high-stakes diplomacy.
The walk, reported by RIA Novosti, wasn’t just a photo opportunity.
It hinted at a rare transparency in what is usually a tightly controlled negotiation process.
Passing by St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin walls, the trio seemed to embrace the symbolism of bridging worlds—both literally and diplomatically—before the serious talks began.
From Michelin-Star Lunch to Kremlin Doors
Earlier in the day, Witkoff and Dmitriev shared a lunch at a Moscow restaurant that earned a Michelin star in 2022.
The informal meal, ending around 16:30 local time, set the stage for a more formal dialogue later in the Kremlin.
Following their culinary encounter, the group made their way to the historic seat of Russian power, signaling the transition from casual conversation to structured negotiation.
Open-Ended Talks With Putin
Inside the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin joined the Americans alongside key aides, including Yury Ushakov.
Russian sources emphasized that there was no fixed timetable for the discussions, highlighting the seriousness and fluidity of the talks.
With Ukraine at the center of the agenda, officials allowed the conversation to unfold without the constraints of a rigid schedule, giving negotiators room to explore a wide range of possibilities.
The Next Diplomatic Stop: Kyiv
After wrapping up in Moscow, the American delegation plans to travel to Europe for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
These meetings are expected to relay the outcomes of the Kremlin discussions and further refine elements of a peace framework that has been slowly taking shape.
Zelensky Expresses Cautious Optimism
Back in Kyiv, President Zelensky offered a tone that diverged from his usual war-focused statements.
Speaking to RBC-Ukraine, he suggested that the diplomatic process is gaining momentum.
“We are now closer to peace than ever before,” Zelensky remarked, while acknowledging the challenging decisions that lie ahead.
The Ukrainian leader pointed out that the U.S. proposal now includes twenty specific points developed through prior talks in Geneva, Florida, and Ireland.
As Washington and Moscow explore the contours of a potential settlement, Kyiv is preparing for the hard choices that could shape the next phase of the conflict.
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