In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have touched down in Moscow to engage in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This visit follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s sharp critique of the European Union, accusing it of lacking the resolve to confront Putin’s regime.
The two American representatives arrived at Vnukovo International Airport after having met with Ukrainian officials in Switzerland earlier in the week. This Swiss meeting coincided with President Donald Trump’s encounter with Zelensky in Davos on Thursday, further highlighting the intricate diplomatic ballet unfolding across Europe.
While Russian media has confirmed the meeting between Putin and the American envoys, the specific topics on the agenda remain undisclosed. The timing of this meeting is crucial as it precedes a scheduled trilateral conference involving Russia, the United States, and Ukraine set to take place in the United Arab Emirates this Friday.
President Zelensky has affirmed the upcoming talks, stating, “Our team is currently on its way to the Emirates to meet with both American and Russian delegations. We are keenly observing the developments to determine our future course of action.”
The meetings in the UAE are slated for Friday and Sunday, marking a pivotal moment as all parties weigh their diplomatic strategies and potential resolutions in this complex geopolitical landscape.
He said that meetings would take place on Friday and Sunday.
Today at Davos, he said he had a ‘very good’ meeting with Donald Trump, adding that a peace deal is nearly ready.
But Zelensky also criticised Europe for what he described as a lack of ‘political will’ to deal with Putin.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (left-right), pictured in Davos today, have arrived in Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin
It came after Zelensky and Trump said their meeting on Thursday about the peace talks was ‘good’
Speaking in Davos on Thursday, the Ukrainian president said discussions with Trump had been positive, adding: ‘We spoke about documents and about air defence.’
He added: ‘I think this is the last mile.’
The US President also commented on the talks, telling reporters the meeting was ‘good,’ but ‘we’ll see how it turns out’ adding: ‘This war has to end.’
During his address at the World Economic Forum, Zelensky told the audience: ‘We met with President Trump, and our teams are working almost every day. It’s not simple. The documents aimed at ending this war are nearly, nearly ready.
‘Ukraine is working with full honesty and determination and that brings results.’
Accusing Europe of inaction over criminal investigations into Russia, Zelensky said: ‘It’s true many meetings have taken place, but still Europe hasn’t reached even the point of having a home for the tribunal, with stuff and actual work happening inside.
‘What’s missing? Time or political will? Too often in Europe, something else is always more urgent than justice.’
A plane carrying U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner stands on the tarmac upon the arrival at Vnukovo International Airport before a scheduled meeting with a Russian delegation in Moscow, Russia, January 22, 2026
During his address, Zelensky told the audience: ‘We met with President Trump, and our teams are working almost every day’
He told the crowd in Davos: ‘Why can President Trump stop tankers from the shadow fleet and seize oil, when Europe doesn’t? If Putin has no money, there is no war for Europe.’
‘Russian oil is being transported right along European shores. That oil funds the war against Ukraine, that oil helps destabilise Europe.
‘If Europe has money, then it can protect its people. Right now, those tankers are making money for Putin and that means Russia continues to push its sick agenda.’
Zelensky said Europe needs a united armed forces to ‘truly defend’ it ‘today’.
‘Just last year here in Davos, I ended my speech with the words, “Europe needs to know how to defend itself”. A year has passed and nothing has changed,’ he said.
‘We are still in a situation where I must say the same words.’
Continuing the searing criticism of his European allies, Zelensky said Europe looked ‘fragmented’ and ‘lost trying to convince the US president to change’.
He continued: ‘But he will not change. President Trump loves who he is, and he says he loves Europe, but he will not listen to this kind of Europe.’
Calling for a different in mindset, Zelensky said: ‘Instead of becoming a truly global power, Europe remains a beautiful but fragmented kaleidoscope of small and middle powers.
Zelensky said Europe needs a united armed forces to ‘truly defend’ it ‘today’
A residential building damaged by a Russian strike in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, on Thursday
‘When united we are truly invincible and Europe can and must be a global force, not one that reacts late, but one that defines the future.’
He said Europe was yet to form a ‘united position’ on Donald Trump’s Board of Peace and Greenland as examples of how it looks ‘lost’ while facing challenges from the US.
Zelensky added that Ukraine needs security guarantees from the US to prevent Russia from invading again.
While some European countries have committed to sending peacekeeping troops, the only way to stop Putin will be if the US is involved, he claimed.
Zelensky has repeatedly hammered home the claim that Ukraine needs concrete security guarantees before any can be made on issues including control of territory.
So far, the UK and France have committed to sending some troops to Ukraine in ‘military hubs’ in the event of a ceasefire.
But Zelensky said: ‘The UK and France are ready to actually commit their forces on the ground… But the backstop of President Trump is needed.
‘And again, no security guarantees work without the US,’ Zelensky said in his address.
Zelensky said that Ukraine needs security guarantees from the US to prevent Russia from invading again
Trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and US will start tomorrow in the UAE, according to the Ukrainian leader.
He suggested the idea was put forward by Washington during his speech on Thursday.
Zelensky said: ‘I hope that the Emirates know about it. Yes. Sometimes we have such surprises from our American side.’
Witkoff himself has described the main sticking point between Russia and Ukraine, that of land ownership, as ‘solvable.’
Zelensky himself confirmed that many of issues in negotiations are ‘all about the land’ in eastern Ukraine, where Putin’s forces have been steadily increasing their foothold.
