MOSCOW, January 23, 2026 — Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoys agreed on “next steps” in diplomacy after an intense four-hour meeting in the Kremlin late on January 22, but the Kremlin insists territorial control remains the central obstacle to peace. Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner at the Kremlin in Moscow Putin met with three trusted U.S. envoys — including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in discussions framed as substantive and constructive, laying groundwork for

MOSCOW, January 23, 2026 — Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoys agreed on “next steps” in diplomacy after an intense four-hour meeting in the Kremlin late on January 22, but the Kremlin insists territorial control remains the central obstacle to peace.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner at the Kremlin in Moscow

Putin met with three trusted U.S. envoys — including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in discussions framed as substantive and constructive, laying groundwork for a three-way security dialogue with Ukraine scheduled in Abu Dhabi later this week. Despite diplomatic progress, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov emphasized that a lasting settlement “would not be possible unless territorial issues are resolved,” notably the contested control of parts of eastern Ukraine that Moscow claims. The Kremlin stressed that Russia remains “sincerely interested” in diplomacy but will continue its military operations until a settlement is achieved. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, after talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Davos on January 22, reiterated that security guarantees have advanced, yet the matter of Ukraine’s territorial integrity remains unresolved. The diplomatic push comes amid broader wrangling over peace terms, with Britain choosing not to sign Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace”, citing concerns about Russia’s role. As mediators prepare for the Abu Dhabi meeting, the standoff over territory continues to define prospects for any durable peace. Source: Reuters

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