Trump envoy announces talks with Putin on Thursday

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has said he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin this week to discuss the settlement of the Ukraine conflict.

“Well, look, ⁠we have to go meet him on Thursday,” Witkoff told CNBC, referring to Putin.

He noted that there has been “great progress” in settling the Russia-Ukraine conflict in recent weeks, but said territorial disputes remain the key sticking point.

According to Witkoff, the meeting will take place at Russia’s request. 

According to RT, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Witkoff and Kushner’s upcoming visit. He also noted that “it is important for us to obtain all the information on the discussions between Americans, Europeans, and Ukrainians” and the relevant proposals.

Witkoff’s comments come following his meeting with Kirill Dmitriev, a special envoy to Putin, in Davos, on Tuesday. 

Witkoff also said that he would be accompanied by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.