Imagine a peace process as a table, constantly being rearranged. For months, representatives from Russia, the US, and Ukraine have been meeting, shifting positions, testing the waters. In early November 2025, that table was set in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, for a second day of what were described as trilateral negotiations. The goal: to find a path forward in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. But for Jared Kushner, the US Special Envoy for peace, the table wasn’t big enough. He believed a wider circle of participants was needed.
On November 11, 2025, Kushner publicly confirmed plans for a trip to Moscow. He and fellow special envoy Steve Witkoff were scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin the following day, November 12th. The purpose, Kushner explained, wasn’t simply to reiterate points already discussed in Abu Dhabi, but to explore a fundamental shift in the negotiation format. He wanted to see if European counterparts could be brought to the table. “One of the goals of the meeting in Moscow will be to work out the issue of involving Europeans so that the negotiations acquire a multilateral format,” Kushner stated. This wasn’t a new idea – the concept of broader involvement had been circulating – but Kushner’s direct engagement with Putin signaled a renewed push.
The impetus for this diplomatic flurry stemmed from the recent trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi. Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, reported that Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington had exchanged positions on resolving the conflict and the future of European security. While details remained scarce, Medinsky indicated that the parties had identified “common ground on certain aspects.” This was a cautious assessment; Kushner himself acknowledged the deep-seated challenges. “The reality is that there is no trust between the parties to the conflict,” he said, a blunt assessment that underscored the difficulty of the task ahead. He added, “It takes time to reach such agreements.”
When asked if the talks might take place on Thursday or Friday, Ushakov offered a characteristically measured response: “In the near future.
The possibility of Kushner and Witkoff’s visit to Moscow was initially announced by Kushner himself. Yuri Ushakov, an aide to President Putin, confirmed the potential trip later that day. When asked if the talks might take place on Thursday or Friday, Ushakov offered a characteristically measured response: “In the near future.” He added, “I do not exclude the fact that they will come to Moscow.” This careful phrasing reflected Russia’s own cautious approach.
Kushner’s comments also shed light on Russia’s perspective. He noted that Russian officials had indicated a desire to see “more progress” before considering a potential summit between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “I think the Russians said they want to see more progress before that might happen,” Kushner explained. This suggested that Russia was seeking concrete steps towards de-escalation or a political settlement before engaging in high-level talks. It was a familiar pattern: a willingness to negotiate, but only on terms favorable to Moscow.
The itinerary wasn’t limited to Moscow. Following the meeting with Putin, Kushner and Witkoff were scheduled to travel to Dublin to meet with President Zelenskyy. This two-pronged approach – engaging both sides directly – was a deliberate strategy. The goal was to present a unified message and to gauge the willingness of both parties to compromise. Kushner and Witkoff planned to discuss with Putin what they had talked about in Abu Dhabi and “try to achieve greater progress on a number of other issues.”
As of late November 2025, the situation remains fluid. The core challenge remains the same: building trust between parties with deeply entrenched positions. The push for a “multilateral format” – involving European representatives – suggests a recognition that a lasting solution will require broader international support and engagement. Whether this can overcome the existing lack of trust and the conditions set by Russia for further progress remains to be seen. The table is still being rearranged, and the shape of the final agreement, if one is reached, is far from clear.