High-Stakes Diplomacy: U.S. and Russia Tussle for Peace in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin and three U.S. envoys engaged in diplomatic talks to end the war in Ukraine. Issues include territorial disputes and Ukraine's NATO ambitions. A positive step emerged with planned trilateral meetings in Abu Dhabi, aiming to solidify terms for peace and economic recovery.

In a rare diplomatic engagement, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with three U.S. envoys late Thursday to discuss a potential end to the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, as confirmed by the Kremlin.

The envoys, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Josh Gruenbaum, newly appointed by former President Donald Trump, represented American interests in Moscow, as Gaza tensions remained a pivotal topic. Conversations touched upon territorial disagreements, specifically Russia's demand for Ukraine to cede control over parts of the Donetsk region and renounce NATO membership aspirations.

In a hopeful development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hinted at upcoming talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. in Abu Dhabi. These discussions aim to finalize security guarantees and establish a framework for Ukraine's economic recovery post-war.

(With inputs from agencies.)