Overview
- U.S. emissary Steve Witkoff is reported to be traveling to Moscow today to see Vladimir Putin, with the White House voicing optimism while cautioning that work remains.
- After talks in Paris, Emmanuel Macron said no peace text is finalized, stressed that only Ukraine can decide territorial questions, and insisted Europeans must join decisions on assets, security guarantees and EU matters.
- U.S.–Ukrainian negotiations in Florida were described as productive by both sides, with Kyiv’s Rustem Oumerov citing significant progress and Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying further work is needed.
- The original 28‑point U.S. draft was amended after Geneva consultations and European input, reportedly reduced to 19 points with territorial issues deferred and frozen Russian assets in Europe reserved for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
- Pressure on Kyiv is rising, with AFP analysis of ISW data estimating Russia gained about 701 km² in November and a corruption scandal prompting the resignation of Zelensky’s chief of staff Andrii Iermak.