White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Wednesday that he and President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will meet Thursday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, as Russia continues to attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Mr. Witkoff said in a CNBC interview that Moscow requested Thursday’s meeting, which he said was a “significant statement on their part” regarding their interest in finding a diplomatic solution to the Russia–Ukraine war.
Mr. Witkoff and Mr. Kushner this week are attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Ukrainian diplomat Rustem Umerov is expected Wednesday to meet with U.S. officials to discuss the Russia–Ukraine peace process.
Mr. Witkoff reaffirmed his belief that Russia and Ukraine are interested in peace and expressed confidence that U.S. officials will be able to hammer out a peace agreement soon.
The U.S. diplomats and Mr. Putin could also discuss the Russian leader’s membership to Mr. Trump’s Gaza “board of peace.” Announced last week, the board is expected to oversee the implementation of the U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire deal and deal with international conflicts. Mr. Putin reportedly received an invitation to the board over the weekend but has not agreed to join.
The upcoming talks come as Russian forces continue to weaken Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving thousands without power and heat in the middle of a brutal winter. Overnight Tuesday, Russia launched 33 missiles and 339 drones into Ukrainian territory, focusing mostly on civilian infrastructure around Kyiv.
The airstrikes targeted substations connected to Ukrainian nuclear plants that provide power to millions. Mr. Zelenskyy said Tuesday that the Russian attacks led to power and heating cuts for many in the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions, where dozens of apartment buildings are still without power.
