ReutersUS envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a day after the latest talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine wrapped up in Abu Dhabi.
Videos shared by Russian media showed Kushner and Witkoff disembarking a plane and being welcomed by Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev with handshakes and hugs.
The American negotiatiors were due to meet Putin at 12:00 local time (09:00 GMT), and will then fly to Dublin to speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
On Tuesday, Kushner said the US had seen “some openings and some opportunities” and that they would try to “make some progress” at the meeting with Putin.
Nearly five years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow shows no sign of backing down from its maximalist demands for sovereign Ukrainian territory and for Western countries to give up any future commitment to protecting Kyiv in case of further attacks.
During the first years of the war, Europeans cut communicatons with the Kremlin and refused to engage with Russia directly.
However, in recent times many have grown concerned about the current US administration’s commitment to European security and its softening towards the Kremlin, and have been pushing for a seat at the negotiating table.
The talks in Abu Dhabi were led by the Americans and only included Russia and Ukraine, but Kushner said he and Witkoff would ask Putin to “give his blessing” to invite European representatives in future discussions – particularly with regards to the future configuration of their continent’s security architecture.
Kushner also urged Europe to “identify one person to speak on their behalf” in the negotiations.
But the Russians have been opposed to the idea, citing Europe’s support for Kyiv as an obstacle.
Vladimir Medinsky, who headed the Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi, said he thought all parties had “moved closer to achieving peace” but that now “a lot depends on Ukraine, on the position of the United States, and on whether Europe comes to its senses”.
As Witkoff and Kushner were meeting Russian officials in Moscow, Zelensky said Ukraine’s military was again facing news of “systematic” restrictions to Starshield satellite internet, Elon Musk’s SpaceX service which plays a key role for frontline communications. Connectivity issues in October lasted about a week. Musk denied deliberately throttling Ukraine’s connection.
The restrictions have made it more difficult for Ukrainian forces to intercept Russian jet-powered drones, Zelensky said in a statement.
“This is helping the Russians kill more Ukrainians and carry out more accurate strikes against Ukraine,” he said.
“We are trying to clear up all circumstances with the American side.”
