What we're covering
• Putin war talks: US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow today. The Kremlin said Moscow is open to peace talks, but its war goals must be achieved, raising doubts about Russia’s readiness to end the conflict.
• What Zelensky says: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the current diplomatic situation as “one of the most challenging and yet optimistic moments.” The Ukrainian president, who is in Dublin today, also said he may meet with US representatives soon after the US-Russia meeting in Moscow.
• On the ground: Russia claims to have captured Pokrovsk, a key eastern Ukrainian city, though Ukraine dismissed what it said were “loud statements” by Moscow aimed at influencing negotiations.
Zelensky: "Now, more than ever, there is a chance to end this war"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there are better chances now than ever to end Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine, describing the current diplomatic situation as “one of the most challenging and yet optimistic moments.”
“There are currently 20 points that were developed in Geneva and further refined in Florida, but from what I have seen, some things still need to be worked out,” Zelensky said.
Possible steps after meeting in Russia: Asked about the visit of US envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner to Moscow, Zelensky said he expects to communicate with the US negotiation team immediately after their meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian president also said he may meet with US representatives soon after the US-Russia meeting in Moscow.
“The steps will change throughout the day, even hourly, I think,” Zelensky said. “We will receive certain signals, and if the signals work out — if it is a fair game with our partners — then perhaps we will meet with the American delegation very soon, we will see at what level. It will depend on the signals.”
Ukraine’s new reality: Living in the dark to conserve energy
While discussions are under way in Moscow, Ukrainians continue to persevere through another challenge of their new reality: Spending much of their time in the dark and cold.
At 12:44 p.m. local time Tuesday, the lights suddenly go dead in Valentin’s apartment, plunging into greater darkness cramped rooms of relatives stored possessions, boarded-up windows, and a scooter sheltered indoors. It is part of planned, rolling blackouts across Ukraine, aimed at conserving energy after months of Russian assaults have depleted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“Now I’m used to it; you get used to everything,” he said. “I’m a telecommunications engineer, somewhat involved in IT. So it interferes with my work.”
Power cuts have become the norm, coupled with nightly barrages – the most recent rocking the capital with ten hours of explosions. On Saturday night, a Shahed drone slammed into the block neighbouring Valentin’s apartment, killing the father of 10-year-old boy Mykola, whose dramatic rescue from the ruins of his home was captured on a policeman’s body camera.
Locals debate outside the wreckage whether the drone was intercepted or targeted their compound, where workers on top of the cherry-picker knock away damaged sections of the roof. Nowhere is peace more urgently needed than in Ukrainian homes, where normal life stops for power interruptions and the nightly barrages bring insomnia on top of anxiety. The hope of Ukrainians is that any peace brings Russia’s invasions to a permanent end, not just a pause.
Witkoff and Kushner stroll through Moscow's Red Square before entering the Kremlin
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev in central Moscow today ahead of their talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a source told CNN.
According to the source, they took a stroll on the Red Square and have now entered the Kremlin.
The three men were filmed walking near Red Square and later entering the Kremlin, according to footage from Russian state-owned news agency TASS and the Izvestiya newspaper.
Earlier, Witkoff and Dmitriev had lunch at a Michelin-starred Moscow restaurant before moving to the Kremlin for discussions expected to focus on US proposals for resolving the war in Ukraine, Russian outlets have reported.
"The situation is really bad": Ukrainian soldiers give mixed messages on Russian advances in Pokrovsk
Ukrainian soldiers gave mixed messages when asked about Russia’s claims of full control over the key eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, in the Donetsk region, with some saying that Ukrainian forces are still holding onto their positions, but others acknowledging that the situation is dire.
One Ukrainian commander with a unit fighting in Pokrovsk denied full Russian control over the town, telling CNN: “The situation is very difficult, but they are nowhere near having complete control. We are still holding our positions.”
Another serviceman stationed in the area of Pokrovsk said it is accurate to say that the situation in the embattled Ukrainian town “is really bad.”
“There are (Ukrainian) positions deep within Russian lines that are considered positions, but there are no survivors left there. As for complete control over Pokrovsk, this is mostly true, the situation is really bad,” the serviceman told CNN.
“Street fighting is already underway in Hryshyne,” which is a village just north of Pokrovsk, the serviceman said, adding that the frontline situation is extremely fluid. He also said a road connecting two other nearby villages – Myrnohrad and Rodynske – remains, “but it is under fire.”
“Everything is changing very quickly, one moment there are four Russians holding a certain position, the next moment we take it back – there (is) no concrete frontline,” he said.
Capturing Pokrovsk would amount to an important victory for Russian forces, if confirmed. But the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that its troops are “holding the northern part of the city” and continuing search-and-assault operations in Pokrovsk. Ukraine’s Armed Forces added: “The bravura statements by the leadership of the aggressor country about the ‘capture’ of these settlements by the Russian army do not match reality.”
WATCH: Zelensky arrives in Dublin for meeting with Irish prime minister
President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived Monday at government buildings in Dublin as part of his first official state visit to Ireland. The Ukrainian leader is there to meet with Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Micheál Martin and other high-ranking Irish officials.
The pair are signing an initiative outlining Ireland’s commitments to supporting Ukraine for the next five years. This agreement includes a further €100 million ($116 million) in non-lethal military support for Ukraine, according to an Irish government press release. A separate fund of €25 million ($29 million) has been allocated to restoring and supporting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure which has been the target of multiple Russian attacks during the war.
After he wraps up his meeting with the Irish prime minister, Zelensky is set to address the Irish parliament. This will mark the second time he addresses the parliament, having previously done so in April 2022.
Ahead of Putin-Witkoff meeting, Kremlin says peace talks must address Russia’s core demands
Just hours before key US-Russia talks in Moscow, the Kremlin reiterated its position that any peace deal on Ukraine must resolve what it describes as the “initial causes” or “underlying reasons” for its invasion — shorthand for a longstanding list of demands that has included a halt to NATO expansion, recognition of Russia’s claimed control over occupied Ukrainian regions and the effective end of Ukraine as a sovereign state.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov praised the Trump administration’s mediation efforts as “very effective” ahead of Tuesday’s meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Putin is expected to discuss the understandings reached between Washington and Kyiv as part of ongoing negotiations on Tuesday afternoon.
“(President) Trump’s plan is a very good basis (for a peace settlement), and we hope we can adhere to this basis,” Peskov said, according to state news agency TASS. But he stressed that Moscow will only agree to peace if it secures the objectives of its war in Ukraine which it calls “the special military operation”: “We must achieve our goals, and we must eliminate the initial causes of the military operation that we launched.”
“We want peace,” Peskov added, “Why aren’t we concluding a peace agreement immediately? It is very difficult. There were underlying reasons for our president’s decision to launch the special military operation. And first, we must reach an agreement that addresses those underlying reasons.”
Two key sticking points loom over today's talks
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are in Moscow for a day of intensive diplomacy aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Their main challenge: convincing Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, to consider potential concessions, explored with Ukrainian negotiators in recent talks, which could form the basis of a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv.
There are multiple issues at stake but two key sticking points loom over the talks: Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO and Russian demands for territory in the Donbas region, which it has annexed but not yet conquered, to be surrendered.
Exact details of what Witkoff and Kushner will offer the Kremlin have not been made public. But it’s understood that potential work-arounds that would effectively block Ukrainian NATO membership and offer Russia territorial gains have been hammered out, though not yet finalized, with Ukrainian negotiators.
The big question is whether Putin, who has so far refused to back away from his maximalist demands, will view what is being offered as a victory that meets his military and political objectives, or decide to press ahead.
Witkoff arrives in Moscow for talks with Putin, state media says
Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Moscow for the talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media reported Tuesday, as discussions continue around US-mediated efforts to advance a potential peace deal on Ukraine.
A motorcade reportedly carrying Witkoff and Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev has left Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport, according to footage published by RIA Novosti. An earlier video released by TASS showed cars with US Embassy license plates entering the airport area, as Russia prepared for the visit.
Witkoff is scheduled to meet with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday afternoon. The Kremlin said earlier Tuesday that no one else will take part in Putin’s meeting with Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, except for translators.
According to TASS sources, Dmitriev is also scheduled to have a meeting with Witkoff in Moscow on Tuesday.
The original 28-point plan put forward by the US – condemned by European allies and members of Congress for being highly favorable to Russia – emerged after a meeting in late October between Dmitriev, Witkoff and Kushner in Miami. Dmitriev, who graduated from Harvard Business School, has reportedly known Kushner for years.
Kremlin says Putin will meet Witkoff and Kushner after 9 a.m. ET
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner in the Kremlin on Tuesday after 5 p.m. Moscow time, which is 9 a.m. ET.
“After 5 p.m., the Russian-American meeting will begin. Putin will receive Mr. Witkoff, the chief US negotiator on Ukraine, at the Kremlin. Jared Kushner will also join, and they will have a conversation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a briefing. “Putin has several working meetings (today) as well.”
Asked how much time had been allocated for the talks, Peskov said they will speak for “as long as it takes.”
Peskov added that no one else will be in the talks apart from interpreters. He did not specify if they would be Kremlin translators, American translators, or both.
Witkoff and Kushner were key brokers in the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, which Trump administration officials have said is why they’ve been placed at the center of the negotiations to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Zelensky says Geneva peace talks document has been "refined" following talks in Florida
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that he received a detailed briefing from the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Rustem Umerov, and others who participated in negotiations in Florida, noting that the discussions focused on refining the draft discussed during the previous US-Ukraine talks in Geneva.
“With the participation of intelligence representatives, there was a discussion with the American side on the feasibility of various steps on the front line and the challenges of ensuring protection from Russian strikes and preventing violations of agreements in the event of a ceasefire,” the Ukrainian president said on social media, adding that his diplomats are working to ensure European allies and ‘Coalition of the Willing’ partners are also involved in decisionmaking.
“We note that the Russians have already launched new disinformation campaigns in view of preparations for their upcoming meetings with the American side,” Zelensky added – an apparent reference to the recent claims from the Russian Defense Ministry that Moscow has captured more frontline Ukrainian towns, including Vovchansk, in the Kharkiv region, and Pokrovsk, in the Donetsk region.
The Ukrainian president also reiterated his commitment to “real peace and guaranteed security” and once again cast doubt on Russia’s intentions in the negotiation process.
“I gave instructions to continue the most constructive work possible with President Trump’s team, as well as with our European partners,” Zelensky said. “Ukrainian intelligence will provide partners with all available information regarding Russia’s true intentions and its attempts to use diplomatic engagement as cover to weaken sanctions and block important collective European decisions.”
Russia claims to have captured key Ukrainian city
Russia said it has captured Pokrovsk, a key eastern Ukrainian city, though Ukraine dismissed what it said were “loud statements” by Moscow aimed at influencing war talks.
Pokrovsk was long seen as an important city for the Ukrainians – because of its road and rail connections – but frequent drone and artillery attacks on the key highway and rail line forced Kyiv to find alternative supply routes, diminishing the strategic value of the city.
The claim by Moscow, which CNN is unable to independently verify, comes after months of heavy fighting for control of the strategic hub. Moscow has sustained thousands of dead and injured in its assault on the city.
The claim came shortly after high-level talks between US and Ukrainian officials in Florida on how to end the war, and a day before US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet Putin in the Russian capital.
Ukraine has not directly commented on Moscow’s claim, but Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, cautioned Monday that Russia would make “many attempts to apply pressure on the front line over the next weeks and accompany this with loud statements.”
He said this was done “exclusively for the Western audience and to raise diplomatic stakes” amid war talks.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces said that “despite the difficult situation” in Pokrovsk and its surrounding areas, Ukrainian troops “continue to hold back the enemy’s offensive.”
Analysis: American diplomacy faces the test of the Kremlin
US President Donald Trump expressed optimism after a high-level meeting between US officials and a Ukrainian delegation in Florida. With Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Russia, CNN’s Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Matthew Chance breaks down what barriers are left to the talks.
US President Donald Trump expressed optimism after a high-level meeting between US officials and a Ukrainian delegation in Florida on Sunday. With Special Envoy Steve Witkoff en route to Russia, CNN's Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Matthew chance breaks down what barriers are left to the talks.
The unconventional US negotiating team heading to Russia
President Donald Trump is dispatching two of his highest-profile diplomats to Moscow as he pushes to end the war in Ukraine: his former business associate and his son-in-law, neither of whom has been confirmed by lawmakers in the Senate.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin today.
Trump’s latest efforts on Ukraine underscore his unconventional – and at times controversial – approach to diplomacy.
Trump has turned to a tight circle of business associates and trusted allies to try to solve some of the world’s most intractable conflicts — and they’ve had successes. Witkoff and Kushner were key brokers in the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which administration officials say is why they’ve been placed at the center of the negotiations to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Witkoff was appointed as special envoy for the Middle East, tasked with trying to bring an end to the war in Gaza. But his portfolio quickly grew to include efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Witkoff’s warm relationship with Moscow has stirred concern among some allies, particularly given his history of engaging with top Russian officials without the presence of experienced diplomats – or even, at times, US notetakers.
Kushner, who does not have an official US government role, re-emerged as a key figure in the administration’s diplomatic efforts as he and Witkoff negotiated a ceasefire plan for Gaza.
He has sat in the US delegation for two high-level meetings in as many weeks with Ukrainian officials.
Read more about Witkoff and Kushner’s role in war talks here.
Zelensky talked with allies ahead of US envoy meeting with Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke with the leaders of the UK and France, as well as Steve Witkoff, ahead of the US envoy’s meetings in Moscow scheduled for today.
“It was an important briefing, and we agreed to discuss more details in person,” he said yesterday.
Some context: Ukraine is seeking international security guarantees as part of any agreement to end the war and a ceasefire based on the current front lines. It has rejected ceding any territory not already occupied by Russian forces.
