Ukraine Peace Talks Narrow to Single Issue as U.S. Envoys Meet Putin

2026-01-22 global

Moscow, Thursday, 22 January 2026.
As U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrive in Moscow today, January 22, 2026, for high-stakes talks with President Putin, diplomatic channels indicate a significant breakthrough. Witkoff revealed at the World Economic Forum that negotiations to end the war in Ukraine have coalesced around a solitary unresolved issue. This pivotal meeting, following constructive preliminary discussions in Davos, suggests the conflict is moving toward a decisive diplomatic phase, with global markets closely monitoring the potential for a defined post-war framework.

Narrowing the Negotiation Gap

The meeting between the U.S. envoys and President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to take place after 7 or 8 p.m. Moscow time today [2]. This marks Witkoff’s seventh trip to Russia since the Trump administration took office, underscoring the intensity of the diplomatic push [7]. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier today, Witkoff characterized the negotiations as having made substantial progress, stating that the parties have “got it down to one issue” [2]. While he did not explicitly name the sticking point, he noted that negotiators have discussed various iterations of this final obstacle, expressing confidence that it is solvable if both sides maintain the will to resolve the conflict [1][2].

The Davos Diplomatic Circuit

The road to Moscow ran through Davos, where preliminary groundwork was laid earlier this week. On Tuesday, January 20, Witkoff and Kushner held a meeting with Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and a key economic envoy for Putin [6][7]. That engagement was described by participants as “very positive” and “constructive,” setting the stage for today’s high-level talks in the Kremlin [3][7]. Simultaneously, the diplomatic track involving Kyiv remains active; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Davos today, January 22, for a scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump [2][6]. President Trump has been vocal about the necessity of a deal, remarking on stage that leadership on both sides would be “stupid” if they failed to reach an agreement given the current proximity to a resolution [1][6].

Structuring the Peace: The Final Percentages

The framework for peace appears to be largely settled, with reports indicating that Kyiv has agreed to 90 percent of the proposed deal [2]. This leaves a remaining gap of 10 percent to be bridged during these final rounds of negotiation [7]. While the specific content of the final 10 percent remains under wraps, Witkoff has previously acknowledged to news outlets that complex “land deals” remain on the table, suggesting territorial concessions or boundaries may constitute the final hurdle [3]. The Russian government has signaled readiness for this dialogue, with the Kremlin confirming the meeting was on President Putin’s schedule following an invitation extended by Moscow to the U.S. delegation [4][7].

Post-War Economic Architecture

Looking beyond the cessation of hostilities, the U.S. delegation is already pivoting toward post-war economic planning. Following their engagement in Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner are scheduled to travel to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates [2]. This leg of the mission will focus on the “prosperity” aspect of the peace plan, specifically addressing military-to-military relations and the economic recovery of the region [2]. This sequencing suggests that Washington is attempting to secure a political settlement in Moscow while simultaneously arranging the financial architecture required to sustain the peace in the Middle East and global energy markets [2].

Sources

Geopolitics Diplomacy