US envoy Witkoff says Ukraine talks with Russia ‘productive’

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Al Jazeera StaffJanuary 31, 2026 at 07:25 PM

AI Summary

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US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff held "productive" talks with Russian Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida regarding the war in Ukraine. The meeting, attended by other US officials, occurred ahead of a second round of US-mediated negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in Abu Dhabi. These talks aim to advance a US-backed plan to end the nearly four-year conflict. This follows the first direct public negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv since the war's early stages, also mediated by the US in Abu Dhabi. President Trump stated progress is being made toward a deal, and Russia agreed to pause attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during extreme winter conditions following a request from Trump.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Jared Kushner 50% Scott Bessent 50% Josh Gruenbaum 50% Volodymyr Zelenskyy 60% Kirill Dmitriev 60% Abu Dhabi ×260% Vladimir Putin ×260% Donald Trump ×470% Steve Witkoff ×280% United States ×380% Russia ×790% Ukraine ×790%

Keywords

russia 100% ukraine 100% peace talks 90% us-mediated talks 80% war in ukraine 80% de-escalation 60% energy infrastructure 50% ceasefire 50% negotiations 40%