Expectations remain modest. Last week Putin reiterated demands that Ukraine withdraw from territory claimed by Russia and dismissed negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as pointless. On Monday the Russian president also asserted, without providing evidence, that Russian forces had seized two eastern Ukrainian cities after weeks of heavy fighting. Western analysts have not independently confirmed those battlefield claims.
In Florida, the U.S. sought to narrow gaps with Ukrainian representatives led by Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. People familiar with the talks said the sides addressed security guarantees, future economic assistance and the potential status of Russian-occupied regions. Several sticking points, including the possible relinquishment of some Ukrainian territory, were left unresolved and will remain on the agenda in Moscow.
Though Zelenskyy did not attend the U.S. meetings, he received frequent updates from his envoys while touring European capitals. On Monday he conferred in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, then flew to Dublin for talks with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that progress toward a “just peace” requires coordinated pressure on Moscow and faster delivery of military aid.
European support remains pivotal. France and the United Kingdom, both briefed by Witkoff and Umerov in recent days, have signaled conditional backing for the evolving U.S. proposal. European diplomats say any agreement must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and be endorsed by Kyiv’s partners in the Group of Seven, as well as by organizations such as the United Nations.
Inside the Biden administration, officials argue that direct engagement with Putin is necessary despite public skepticism. They view Witkoff—a real-estate executive turned envoy—as uniquely positioned to deliver a personal message from President Donald Trump, who has stated that ending the conflict is a top foreign-policy priority. Rubio, who joined the Florida sessions, described the negotiations as productive but acknowledged significant work ahead.
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White House aides declined to outline the specific terms Witkoff will present in Moscow. They indicated, however, that Washington’s revised document incorporates Ukrainian suggestions while addressing Russian concerns about sanctions relief and security arrangements along the contested frontier. Analysts note that even partial agreement would face intense scrutiny in Kyiv, where public opinion remains firmly opposed to ceding land.
The Kremlin, for its part, has signaled little willingness to compromise. Russian state media continue to frame the war as an existential struggle and to portray recent battlefield developments as evidence of momentum. Some observers suggest Putin may use Tuesday’s meeting to gauge the durability of U.S. political commitment as the 2026 presidential campaign approaches.
Diplomats caution that a breakthrough this week is unlikely. Instead, they expect Witkoff’s visit to clarify whether a narrow path toward a cease-fire exists or whether the conflict will extend into a fourth year. Should talks stall, Washington plans to consult with allies about additional economic measures targeting Russia’s energy sector and defense industry.
As preparations continued in Moscow, Ukrainian forces reported sustained shelling along the eastern front, and regional officials described further damage to civilian infrastructure. Those developments underscore the urgency of negotiations, U.S. officials say, though they insist any agreement must be acceptable to Ukraine and enforceable by the international community.
The outcome of Tuesday’s discussion will set the tone for the next phase of diplomacy. If Putin shows openness to further dialogue, envoys from Kyiv and Washington could reconvene in a neutral venue later this month. If not, attention may shift back to the battlefield, where both sides are bracing for winter operations.
Crédito da imagem: Gavriil Grigorov/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
