High-Level Talks Progress as Trump Reserves Direct Meetings for Final Phase

The American president sent senior negotiators to Russia and Ukraine while establishing firm conditional terms for his personal involvement in peace talks. Trump announced he would meet with Putin and Zelensky only after negotiations yield a near-final agreement, positioning himself for engagement during the concluding stages.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff received authorization for high-level discussions in Moscow with President Putin, while Army Secretary Dan Driscoll shifted focus to engagement with Ukrainian representatives. The parallel diplomatic missions aim to address remaining points of disagreement in the evolving peace framework.
Trump characterized recent negotiations as highly productive, claiming substantial advancement over recent days on key issues. According to the president, only a few substantive disagreements remain between the conflicting parties, though these involve fundamental questions about territorial control and future security arrangements.
The original American proposal drew fierce criticism from Ukraine and its European allies, who objected to provisions they viewed as undermining Ukrainian sovereignty. Subsequent discussions have produced modifications that administration officials claim address these concerns while maintaining framework viability.
Ukrainian President Zelensky maintained a cautious public stance, expressing appreciation for American efforts while carefully avoiding confirmation of specific agreements. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated Moscow awaits a formal proposal following American consultations with Ukraine and European partners.