Putin meets US envoys for midnight talks as Ukraine settlement hinges on key issue

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Associated PressJanuary 23, 2026 at 05:45 AM

AI Summary

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Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner late Thursday to discuss a potential settlement in Ukraine. The Kremlin emphasized that resolving the territorial issue, specifically Ukraine's withdrawal from annexed eastern regions, is crucial for any long-term peace agreement. The meeting, which lasted past 3 a.m. Friday, occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized European allies' slow response to the Russian invasion. Despite the territorial disagreements, Russian, Ukrainian, and US officials agreed to hold security talks in the United Arab Emirates on Friday regarding a prospective peace deal. Zelensky stated that peace proposals are nearly ready, but the status of Russian-occupied land remains unresolved.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United Arab Emirates 40% Davos 40% Steve Witkoff ×250% Jared Kushner ×250% Yuri Ushakov ×260% United States ×260% Donald Trump ×270% Kremlin ×270% Volodymyr Zelensky ×280% Russia ×480% Vladimir Putin ×490% Ukraine ×490%

Keywords

ukraine settlement 100% peace deal 90% territorial issue 80% russia 70% united states 70% vladimir putin 60% volodymyr zelensky 60% eastern ukraine 50% security issues 40%