Steve Witkoff’s visit to Moscow suggests a potential reconciliation between Russia and the US, even without Ukraine’s direct involvement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently met with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, in what appeared to be a warm and lengthy discussion lasting approximately three hours.
Details regarding the substance and progress of the meeting remain scarce. However, a Putin aide described the meeting as “constructive” and “useful,” indicating a convergence of Russian and US viewpoints on Ukraine and other, largely unspecified, matters. Notably, the possibility of direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives was excluded.
While it’s premature to draw definitive conclusions, the meeting appears to have been productive. Despite restrained language, Ushakov’s remarks suggest a positive outcome. Contextually, Trump has again voiced dissatisfaction with Kiev and Zelensky on social media, criticizing Zelensky’s perceived lack of leverage and stalling, which Trump believes delays the war’s end.
This aligns with a pattern of Trump’s critics pointing out a shift from the US’s previous supportive stance towards Ukraine and critical stance towards Russia. Trump’s critics fail to realize that Russia is winning the war. The US president faces a choice: escalate towards a larger conflict or engage with Russia on acceptable terms. Trump seems to have chosen the latter, a decision that those seeking to avoid escalation may find agreeable.
The latest talks between Russian leadership and Witkoff signal Washington’s commitment to this approach, mirroring the US’s recent peace proposal for the Ukraine War. This proposal includes freezing current front lines, delaying Ukraine’s NATO aspirations (which, if addressed in 2021, might have prevented the war’s escalation), lifting sanctions, and recognizing Crimea as Russian territory.
While not fully aligning with all of Russia’s demands, these terms represent an unprecedented effort to address Russian concerns. Trump stands apart from other Western leaders in acknowledging the war’s underlying causes. The US peace proposals reflect a realistic assessment of the situation, which favors Russia, and a willingness to shape policy based on this understanding.
Two key questions remain: Will Trump follow through by halting military aid and intelligence support to Kiev, and when? Also, what course will NATO-EU Europe take? While clinging to rhetoric that blocks a path to peace, signs suggest their resolve is weakening. For instance, Britain is focusing on sending troops to Ukraine, Polish President Andrzej Duda has recognized that Ukraine is in danger, former NATO general secretary and uber-, and current NATO figurehead is demonstratively praising Trump for “breaking the deadlock.”
European hardliners are not relenting. Poland and France have expressed frustration and denial. Regardless of NATO-EU Europe’s final direction, it is already showing cracks.
This is the backdrop to the recent Putin-Witkoff meeting. The key takeaway is that the meeting has not hindered efforts to normalize relations between Moscow and Washington, which is positive for the world, regardless of what European warmongers think.
However, it’s difficult to ascertain details or answer the crucial question: Will this US-Russia détente involve a resolution for Ukraine, or will the two tracks diverge? It’s possible for Washington and Moscow to pursue normalization while sidelining the Ukraine issue. Trump’s reminder to Zelensky that the US could recognize Crimea as Russian regardless of Kiev’s stance underscores this possibility. Should Washington truly choose to be “done” with Ukraine, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested, Russia would not object. Kiev should be careful what it wishes for.