Trump Envoy Says Ukraine Talks Hinge on Single Issue

U.S. Special Envoy Stephen Witkoff stated that negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine are in the final stage and have been narrowed down to solving one key issue. He reported this on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos before flying to Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I think we«ve boiled it down to one question and discussed options [for solving] this question, which means it is fundamentally solvable,” he said on the sidelines of the WEF.

Witkoff expressed optimism, noting significant progress over the past weeks.

“If both sides want to solve this issue, we will solve it. That is my position,” stated the special envoy of the U.S. president.

In addition to political settlement, the negotiations also discuss Ukraine«s economic prospects. Witkoff confirmed that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump proposes to create a duty-free trade zone on the country»s territory, calling the idea ambitious.

The special envoy«s diplomatic schedule remains tight. Witkoff noted that after the visit to Moscow, he will head to Abu Dhabi, where contacts on resolving the conflict in Ukraine will take place.

“We are not staying [in Moscow], but will immediately proceed to Abu Dhabi. This is important information because in Abu Dhabi [there will be] working groups, military with military, [and discussions on] prosperity [of the economy],” said Witkoff.

The meeting between Putin and Trump«s special envoy is scheduled for January 22. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Witkoff clarified that he will travel to Moscow on Thursday evening along with entrepreneur Jared Kushner. As press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov said, the U.S. representatives will arrive around 19–20 hours (Moscow time).

According to Bloomberg, Vladimir Putin has received a draft document agreed upon by the Americans with Ukrainian and European partners. This was done specifically so that the Russian side could prepare its remarks before the visit.

Peskov emphasized that the Kremlin will not comment on the stage of negotiations with the U.S. Following the meeting, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov will hold a telephone briefing for journalists.

Simultaneously, a separate meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected in Davos. The Ukrainian leader has already arrived on site.