Witkoff to present Putin with peace proposal after talks with Zelensky

The updated proposal is a diplomatic framework for ending the war in Ukraine. Its exact terms are not given in the article. The U.S. official says it is meant to create a pathway toward direct trilateral and broader multilateral negotiations. That makes the proposal a structure for talks, rather than a fully described peace treaty.

The framework emerged from discussions in Oslo involving Ukraine and several European and international partners. Those talks focused on developing a unified proposal. Ukraine brought forward new ideas and proposals, which participants discussed in detail. The parties reported meaningful progress and strong working-level alignment on next steps.

Witkoff will present the updated proposal to Putin in St. Petersburg. Kushner will join virtually. The White House hopes recent steps welcomed by Moscow, including lifting sanctions on Russian diesel sales, may make Putin more willing to compromise. The article does not say whether Russia will accept the framework.

The Oslo talks brought Ukrainian, European, and broader international representatives together to work on a common plan for ending the war. Participants included Zelensky, Norway’s and Finland’s leaders, and representatives from France, the UK, Germany, Poland, the EU, and NATO. The goal was to build a unified proposal rather than pursue separate diplomatic positions.

Ukraine brought forward new ideas and proposals, according to the U.S. official. Those ideas were discussed in detail. The parties then reported meaningful progress and strong alignment at the working level on what should happen next. The article does not identify the specific Ukrainian proposals or explain their full terms.

Witkoff traveled to Russia after the Oslo meetings. He is expected to present the updated framework to Putin. Zelensky said the next step should be a meeting involving himself, Putin, and Trump. Ukraine also offered a possible reciprocal arrangement on attacks against Russian oil refineries.

Steve Witkoff is the White House envoy carrying the updated proposal to Russia. Vladimir Putin is Russia’s president and the leader Witkoff will meet in St. Petersburg. Volodymyr Zelensky is Ukraine’s president and took part in the Oslo discussions. Their roles place them at the center of possible negotiations over ending the war.

Donald Trump is the U.S. president and is pressing for a deal. He has also taken steps welcomed by Moscow, including agreeing to lift sanctions on Russian diesel sales. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, joined the Oslo meeting virtually and will join Witkoff’s meeting with Putin virtually. Kushner also pressed Trump’s demand that Ukraine halt refinery strikes.

The roles are not identical. Witkoff presents the proposal, while Trump sets the broader U.S. position. Putin must decide how Russia responds. Zelensky represents Ukraine’s position and has proposed a direct three-way meeting. Kushner reinforces Trump’s demands during the discussions.

The effort is broad because it combines direct U.S.-Russia diplomacy with coordination among Ukraine, European governments, and international organizations. The Oslo meeting included Zelensky, the leaders of Norway and Finland, and representatives from France, the UK, Germany, Poland, the European Union, and NATO. This group worked toward a shared framework for ending the war.

The U.S. official described the participants as having strong alignment at the working level. That suggests the Oslo talks were meant to coordinate positions before Witkoff carried an updated proposal to Putin. Ukraine’s new ideas were discussed alongside proposals from the other participants. The article does not provide the names of individual representatives from most countries or organizations.

The effort now has two linked tracks. One is the wider Oslo-based effort to form a unified proposal. The other is Witkoff’s meeting with Putin. The United States hopes the proposal can lead to direct trilateral talks and broader multilateral negotiations involving more of these governments and institutions.

A direct meeting among Trump, Putin, and Zelensky could bring the war’s central decision-makers into the same discussion. It could test whether the leaders can address major disagreements without relying only on envoys or separate diplomatic channels. The U.S. hopes the updated proposal will create a pathway toward precisely these direct trilateral talks.

The meeting would also connect the broader Oslo effort with decisions by the presidents. Zelensky said the next step should be a trilateral meeting involving himself, Putin, and Trump. That would follow the development of a unified framework agreement and allow the leaders to respond directly to its terms. The article does not describe what agenda or conditions such a meeting would have.

Russia has refused to hold this type of meeting so far. The article does not state the reason. It only says that Moscow has rejected the idea and that the United States hopes the new proposal may change its position. Putin’s response to Witkoff will indicate whether that diplomatic opening has widened.

Stopping attacks on Russian oil refineries would remove one source of pressure on Moscow, while easing sanctions on Russian diesel sales would provide another economic benefit. Together, those steps could create a more favorable atmosphere for negotiations. They could also test whether concessions produce reciprocal action rather than only one-sided gains.

The key mechanism is conditional exchange. Kushner pressed Trump’s demand that Ukraine halt refinery strikes. Zelensky then said Ukraine was prepared to cease those strikes if Moscow took reciprocal steps. Separately, Trump agreed to lift sanctions on Russian diesel sales, a move welcomed by Moscow. These actions connect military pressure and economic restrictions to diplomatic bargaining.

The consequences remain uncertain. If Russia reciprocates, the measures could support further talks and help open a trilateral process. If it does not, Ukraine could lose leverage while receiving little in return. The article does not state whether Russia has accepted the proposed condition or what specific reciprocal steps Moscow might take.

Sanctions are economic restrictions used to raise the cost of a government’s actions. In this case, lifting sanctions on Russian diesel sales can reduce pressure on Moscow and serve as an incentive to engage. Keeping or tightening sanctions would preserve leverage. Their effect depends on whether the targeted side changes behavior.

Attacks on energy infrastructure apply direct pressure by threatening an important source of revenue or supply. The article describes Ukraine striking Russian oil refineries and the United States demanding that those attacks stop. Negotiations then connect these tools: Ukraine says it will halt the strikes if Russia takes reciprocal steps, while U.S. actions may encourage Moscow to compromise.

Diplomacy turns pressure into possible exchanges. A proposal can offer relief, restraint, or talks in return for concrete actions. Here, the White House hopes concessions welcomed by Moscow will increase Putin’s willingness to compromise. The outcome is not known. The tools could support a deal, or weaken leverage if concessions are not matched.