Diplomatic activity increased on Tuesday to find a solution to the war in Ukraine, while Russia’s offensive continued without pause in Kyiv. The American president asked his special envoy Steve Witkoff to go to Moscow for discussions with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, following the “major progress” achieved, according to him, in recent days.
No date was immediately communicated for this meeting. Donald Trump clarified on his Truth Social network that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, after holding discussions with Russia in Abu Dhabi, will now meet with Ukraine.
Some European leaders have tempered American optimism. French President Emmanuel Macron said there was “finally a chance to make real progress towards a good peace,” but also lamented Russia’s lack of “will for a ceasefire” after nearly four years of war.
Second improved version
The talks focused on a draft American plan, an initial version of which was seen as highly favorable to Moscow and was changed after talks on Sunday in Geneva between American, Ukrainian and European delegations. The latest version is “much better” for Kyiv, a source close to the matter admitted on Tuesday.
Donald Trump said he would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Russian President “only when a deal to end this war has been completed or has reached the final stage” of discussions. The American President added that he would be kept informed of the discussions.
He will go to Florida on Tuesday and for a few days, for the Thanksgiving holiday, which will take place on Thursday.
Meanwhile, a hail of drones and missiles fell on Kyiv during the night from Monday to Tuesday, killing at least seven people. Residents of several residential buildings were evacuated from their burning apartments.
Ukraine’s diplomacy chief, Andriï Sybiga, condemned Russia’s attack on X, saying it showed Putin’s “terrorist response to the peace proposals of the United States and President Trump.”
