Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine are intensifying, with a high-level meeting scheduled in Moscow between Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, 2 December 2025.
High-Stakes Diplomacy and Sticking Points
The envoy's trip follows talks between US and Ukrainian officials held on Sunday. Washington has expressed optimism, with Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stating the administration is "very optimistic" about reaching an agreement. However, significant hurdles remain before any potential peace deal can be finalised.
The core disagreements centre on control of Ukrainian territory and post-war security guarantees for Kyiv. President Putin has indicated he would only halt fighting if Ukrainian troops withdrew from all four regions Russia annexed in 2022, despite not fully controlling them. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently ruled out ceding any territory.
European Weakness and Hybrid Warfare Threats
As US-led diplomacy progresses, analysts suggest Europe's influence is waning. Nigel Gould-Davies of the International Institute for Strategic Studies wrote that the peace process has "painfully exposed" European weakness, noting the continent has been largely marginalised in the negotiations despite being a primary source of support for Ukraine.
Concurrently, European NATO allies face ongoing Russian hybrid warfare tactics, including repeated incursions into allied airspace by Russian drones and fighter jets. In a stark escalation of rhetoric, NATO's most senior military officer, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, suggested on Monday that the alliance could consider a 'pre-emptive strike' against Russia as a 'defensive action', according to the Financial Times.
The Kremlin swiftly condemned these remarks as "extremely irresponsible" and an attempt to escalate tensions.
The Military Reality on the Ground
The diplomatic manoeuvres unfold against a backdrop of continued conflict. Analysis by the AFP news agency indicates that Russian forces made their biggest advance in a year during November 2025, capturing approximately 270 square miles of Ukrainian territory. This military pressure adds a complex layer to the talks in Moscow.
President Zelenskyy was in Paris on Monday for discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, who later held a joint call with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reiterate support for Ukrainian sovereignty. The path to peace remains fraught, balancing battlefield realities with diplomatic imperatives.
