U.S. envoys Kushner and Witkoff meet Putin at Kremlin as talks seek Russia-Ukraine peace | CBC
A meeting without a breakthrough
The envoys met Putin after U.S.-mediated negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations concluded on Wednesday. The two days of talks produced no major progress beyond an agreement to exchange a large number of prisoners; the exact figure remained to be announced.
Kushner said the meeting aimed in part to secure Putin’s approval for European representatives to join discussions about the continent’s wider security arrangements. Moscow opposes European countries taking part in direct negotiations, citing their financing and military support for Ukraine.
Europe’s role remains disputed
European governments are concerned about Russia’s actions and intentions, as well as whether Washington might accept too many of Moscow’s demands. Some analysts say negotiators could consider concessions involving NATO strategy in exchange for peace in Ukraine, a prospect that alarms European leaders.
Putin reiterated Moscow’s opposition to European troops being stationed in Ukraine after a war. He described such forces as a security threat and warned they would be legitimate targets.
Zelenskyy calls for peace
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Dublin for a gathering of more than 40 European countries, also attended by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Rutte said a peace agreement, or at least a ceasefire, was needed.
Zelenskyy welcomed the proposed prisoner exchange as a positive step but said Ukraine would not give up Russian-occupied territory for peace. Meanwhile, fighting continued along the 1,200-kilometre front line.
Attacks and satellite service concerns
Russia’s larger army has faced determined Ukrainian resistance, while Russian drone and missile attacks have targeted civilian heat, electricity and running water, according to the report. Kyiv describes the impact as a “weaponization of winter.” Zelenskyy said Ukraine was experiencing another slowdown in the U.S. Starshield system, SpaceX’s military-grade version of Starlink. Ukraine uses Starlink and Starshield to intercept Russian drones and carry out its own mid- and long-range strikes. Elon Musk said SpaceX had throttled Starlink service in Ukraine for about a week, adding that it could not be used for offensive strikes against Russia.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched missiles and 123 drones overnight, including 73 jet-powered drones. It reported hits at 17 locations.
Key points
- U.S. envoys met Putin after two days of talks ended without a major breakthrough.
- Moscow opposes European participation in direct negotiations and European troops in post-war Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy welcomed a proposed prisoner exchange but ruled out surrendering occupied territory.
- Ukraine’s air force reported Russian missiles and 123 drones launched overnight, with hits at 17 locations.