US negotiators meet Putin in Moscow after Abu Dhabi talks
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in Moscow to advocate for European involvement in peace talks, though Putin maintained firm territorial demands.
United States mediators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow following two days of talks in Abu Dhabi. During the meeting, the US envoys advocated for European representation in future peace negotiations to support lasting stability in the region.
However, President Putin reiterated Moscow's unyielding position regarding territorial concessions. He stated that any future boundary between Russia and Ukraine must correspond to Russia's official constitutional borders. These claimed boundaries encompass the Crimean Peninsula, annexed in 2014, as well as four eastern Ukrainian regions that Russian forces have partially occupied since 2022.
Following their Kremlin consultations, the US delegation is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as shuttle diplomacy efforts continue.
Sources: Der Spiegel, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau
How outlets assessed this
- ORF Neutral Focused on Putin's unyielding demand that Ukraine accept Russia's annexed territory claims as the new official border.
- Der Standard Cautious Highlighted the warm public reception in Moscow, suggesting Russia is using the talks to project unity with US negotiators.
Sources
- FAZ — Liveblog Ukrainekrieg: Kushner: Europäer müssen bei Verhandlungen dabei sein
- Der Spiegel — Russland - Ukraine: USA wollen Europäer an den Verhandlungstisch bringen
- Tagesschau — Trumps Unterhändler fordern von Putin Beteiligung Europas
- Der Standard — Putin geht es um mehr als nur um den Frieden in der Ukraine
- ORF — US-Vermittler in Moskau: Putin bleibt bei Forderungen
Earlier coverage
- Nov 13, 2026, 02:00 PM UTCUS negotiators call for European seat in Ukraine peace talks
- Nov 13, 2026, 12:30 PM UTCUS negotiators push for European role in Ukraine peace talks
- Nov 13, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCUS envoys advocate European role in Ukraine peace talks following Moscow meeting
- Nov 13, 2026, 07:00 AM UTCUS envoys urge European participation in Ukraine peace process following Moscow talks
- Nov 13, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCUS envoys advocate European inclusion in Ukraine talks following Moscow meeting
- Nov 13, 2026, 02:00 AM UTCUS envoys call for European inclusion in Ukraine peace talks following Moscow meeting
- Nov 13, 2026, 12:30 AM UTCUS envoys meet Putin as diplomatic efforts continue over Ukraine
- Nov 12, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCUS envoys meet Putin in Moscow as peace talks highlight territorial rift
- Nov 12, 2026, 07:00 PM UTCUS envoys meet Putin in Moscow as Russia reaffirms territorial demands
- Nov 12, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCUS envoys meet Putin in Moscow to push for European role in Ukraine talks