Trump Dispatches Envoys While Withholding Personal Summit Commitments

The White House intensified Ukraine peace diplomacy while President Trump maintained conditional prerequisites for his direct involvement. Trump announced he would meet with Putin and Zelensky only after negotiations produce a near-final agreement.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff received orders to conduct talks with Putin in Moscow, while Army Secretary Dan Driscoll transitioned to engagement with Ukrainian representatives. The coordinated diplomatic efforts aim to address remaining points of contention.
Trump claimed significant advancement on refining a peace framework initially drafted by American negotiators. According to the president, only a few substantive disagreements remain between the conflicting parties after what he characterized as tremendous progress.
The original 28-point proposal drew intense criticism from Ukraine and its European allies, requiring multiple rounds of revision. Subsequent negotiations have produced a modified framework, though fundamental challenges remain in reconciling Russian and Ukrainian positions.
Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov participated in Abu Dhabi discussions, signaling Kyiv’s continued engagement. Ukrainian officials emphasized that territorial questions at the heart of any settlement would require direct Trump-Zelensky discussions to resolve.