Key Points and Summary – President Donald Trump says a fresh round of U.S.–Russia talks on ending the Ukraine war was “reasonably good,” after envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
-Both Washington and Moscow now describe the negotiations as constructive, but far from settled.
Student of the Advance Small Arms Instructor (ASAI) conducted a range with M-203 grenade luncher, C16 Automatic Grenade Luncher, C6 light machine gun and Carl Gustav 84mm anti-tank. These photos were taken at the Infantry School, 5th Canadian Division Support Base (5 CDSB) Gagetown, New Brunswick, on 31 October 2024.
-A U.S. draft peace plan—reportedly cut from 28 to 19 points—includes curbs on Ukraine’s military, limits on NATO ambitions, and territorial concessions to Russia, alarming European leaders who fear an “ugly deal.”
-Buoyed by recent battlefield gains, the Kremlin claims Washington is increasingly accommodating Russian demands as Kyiv prepares for further talks.
Trump Expresses Optimism Over Ukraine Peace Deal – So Does Russia
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the latest round of U.S.-Russia negotiations over a possible settlement to the war in Ukraine showed signs of progress, even as both sides acknowledged that a workable peace deal still remains out of reach for the time being.
The news comes as Europe squirms over the possibility of an “ugly deal” being agreed between the U.S. and Russia – one that satisfies some of the most maximalist demands from Moscow.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump described a meeting in Moscow between special envoy Steve Witkoff accompanied by Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner and Russian President Vladimir Putin as “reasonably good.”
The president added that the pair returned to the United States with the impression that the Kremlin would like to “end the war,” however, he also stressed that any agreement would be far from final and that it “takes two to tango.”
The comments are a far cry from the optimism expressed during the 2024 presidential campaign, reflecting realities on the battlefield and Russia’s position of strength.
After years of conflict, and despite economic troubles and logistical pressures, Moscow shows no sign of slowing down and has since threatened to escalate with a “surgical” operation against Europe should there be any direct military involvement from NATO forces.
The discussions follow months of U.S.-led efforts to draft a peace plan that reportedly contains 28 proposals, including limits on Ukrainian military power, restrictions on Kyiv’s NATO aspirations, and major territorial concessions to Russia.
While European leaders have generally expressed concern over the prospect of ceding territory to Russia, none have offered alternative solutions that would see the conflict ended in a timely manner.
Since news outlets first reported on the 28-point proposals, the draft deal has reportedly been reduced down to 19 points.
In Moscow, the latest round of talks were also characterized as constructive but unresolved.
Putin foreign police aide Yuri Ushakov said that parts of the deal from the U.S. were viewed positively by the Russians, while others were deemed acceptable.
Ushakov also argued that Russia’s recent successes on the battlefield had a “positive impact” on the negotiations, and indicated that the U.S. was ready to take more of Russia’s views into account when coming to terms with Kyiv over its territorial claims.
Ukraine is now preparing for another phase of talks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian officials are expected to meet U.S. envoys later this week in Miami following consultations in Brussels.
About the Author:
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York who writes frequently for National Security Journal. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he analyzes and understands left-wing and right-wing radicalization and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society. His latest book is The Truth Teller: RFK Jr. and the Case for a Post-Partisan Presidency.
