Diplomatic Breakthrough: Witkoff and Kushner Set for Moscow Talks

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to arrive in Moscow tomorrow, Thursday, January 22, 2026, for a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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The meeting, confirmed by both the Kremlin and Witkoff during the World Economic Forum in Davos, represents the most direct attempt yet by the administration to finalize a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine and stabilize the broader Middle East.

The Strategic Agenda

• The “Board of Peace”: Witkoff revealed that the primary goal is inviting Putin to participate in a newly formed international oversight body. This “Board of Peace” would manage the reconstruction of war-torn regions and enforce security protocols.
• The 28-Point Plan: Envoys will present a refined peace proposal. While approximately 90% of the deal is reportedly agreed upon, the remaining 10% involves sensitive “security guarantees” designed to protect Ukraine from future incursions.
• A Shift in Posture: Witkoff noted that the invitation for the meeting originated from the Kremlin, suggesting a potential shift in Russia’s willingness to engage with the U.S.-led diplomatic “sprint.”

Key Context: The “Coalition of the Willing”

This visit follows a landmark summit in Paris earlier this month. At that summit, the U.S. and its European allies established legally binding security protocols. The Moscow talks are intended to see if Russia will acknowledge these protocols as part of a permanent ceasefire.

What This Means for the Region

While Witkoff’s official title focuses on the Middle East, the administration is treating the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza as interconnected “theaters of instability.” By engaging Putin directly, the U.S. aims to decouple Russian influence from Middle Eastern proxy conflicts, potentially clearing the way for the broader Abraham Accords expansion.