High-stakes diplomacy between U.S. and Russian officials left Ukraine's path to peace uncertain this week, with President Trump calling Moscow negotiations 'reasonably good' but lacking clear next steps. 🌍
Dancing Around Diplomacy
U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner spent over four hours with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday, discussing proposals to end the conflict. While Trump later quipped 'it takes two to tango,' Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov revealed NATO membership for Ukraine dominated talks – a red line for Moscow.
Behind Closed Doors
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the meeting as 'a normal working process,' with some U.S. ideas accepted and others rejected. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy emphasized in his nightly address: 'Only by taking Ukraine's interests into account is dignified peace possible.'
Leaks & Countermoves
The diplomatic scramble follows November's leak of 28 U.S. draft proposals that critics called too pro-Russia. European powers later introduced counter-proposals, leading to updated frameworks discussed at Geneva talks. Putin, however, accused European leaders this week of trying to derail negotiations with 'unacceptable' ideas.
As U.S. envoys head to Miami for Thursday's meeting with Ukrainian officials, the world watches: Will 2025 finally bring peace to Europe's most volatile conflict? 💡
