President Donald Trump has announced a significant development in his administration's efforts to broker peace in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, revealing he is dispatching a special envoy for direct talks in Moscow.
Diplomatic Push for Peace
Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, the US president confirmed his plan to end the war in Ukraine is progressing. He revealed he's sending special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Simultaneously, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is being dispatched to meet with Ukrainian officials.
The announcement indicates a renewed diplomatic push from the White House to mediate between the warring nations. Trump stated his peace plan 'is making progress', though he notably retreated from an earlier Thursday deadline that had been set for Ukraine to agree to a US-backed proposal.
Key Figures and Potential Involvement
In a notable revelation, President Trump mentioned that his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, might join the Witkoff-Putin meeting. This suggests the potential involvement of a key White House adviser in these sensitive diplomatic negotiations.
The decision to involve Kushner adds another layer to the administration's approach to resolving the Ukraine conflict, which has drawn international concern since its inception.
Shifting Timelines and Strategy
Perhaps the most significant shift in the administration's position came regarding the timeline for peace. When pressed about the previously mentioned Thursday deadline for Ukraine to accept the American peace plan, President Trump demonstrated flexibility.
'The deadline for me is when it's over,' he told reporters, indicating a more patient approach than previously suggested. This change in rhetoric suggests the White House is prepared for potentially prolonged negotiations rather than demanding immediate resolution.
The deployment of both Steve Witkoff to Moscow and Dan Driscoll to meet Ukrainian representatives shows a coordinated effort to engage both sides of the conflict simultaneously. This two-pronged approach could signal a serious attempt to bridge the considerable gap between Russian and Ukrainian positions.
