Trump sent 'unusual' delegation to negotiations in Russia, - CNN
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
The administration in Washington is trying to accelerate a new diplomatic track and is bringing in individuals whose roles were not previously associated with international negotiations, according to CNN.
The administration of Donald Trump has intensified efforts to advance a proposed peace agreement on Ukraine, deploying a team that is highly unusual for diplomacy.
On Tuesday, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Moscow, where they are scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin.
Neither representative was confirmed by the Senate nor possesses traditional diplomatic training, yet Trump describes them as his most effective intermediaries - capable, as he put it, of "closing the deal."
US officials note that Witkoff and Kushner were involved in a process that previously led to a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Personal channels instead of institutions
Trump’s second term is marked by a departure from traditional diplomatic tools: he increasingly relies on a small circle of business partners and personal allies.
Former State Department officials point out that the president avoids bureaucratic structures and prefers direct, informal contacts.
Meanwhile, Witkoff’s ties to Russian officials have raised concerns among allies: according to CNN, some meetings took place without US advisers present.
Trump has said that one of his conversations with Putin lasted five hours instead of the planned twenty minutes.
Kushner's growing role
Despite lacking formal status, Kushner has quickly taken on a central role in the talks. Sources say that leaders of other states view his involvement as a personal channel to Trump.
He and Witkoff have already held meetings with the Ukrainian delegation. However, contacts with Russia have fueled criticism: in October, they met in Miami with Russian businessman Kirill Dmitriev, who is under sanctions.
28-point plan and new team
After a series of consultations, a draft 28-point peace plan emerged, sharply criticized in the US. Congress and European capitals as overly favorable to Moscow.
The White House said that the document was drafted by Witkoff and Marco Rubio and is undergoing revisions. Rubio has continued negotiations in Geneva and Florida, reporting "significant progress," though Ukrainian sources stress that no final decision has been reached.
An additional role in the talks is being played by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, whom Trump refers to as "my drone guy."
He has worked with Ukrainian representatives in Kyiv and Geneva and communicated with Russian participants in Abu Dhabi, though he is not being sent to Moscow.
Washington's optimism and Kyiv's doubts
Ahead of the Moscow visit, White House official Karoline Leavitt said the administration is "extremely optimistic."
According to her, the document’s points have been substantially refined, but final details remain with the negotiators.
Ukrainian officials view Kushner’s involvement as a signal that Washington believes an agreement may be possible.
However, they argue that the process is far from complete. Marco Rubio, for his part, said there are "no signs that the Kremlin actually wants peace," and upcoming negotiations promise to be difficult.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed current international issues with US President Donald Trump in a phone call and received an official invitation to visit the White House in the coming weeks.
In addition, US President Donald Trump will hold a meeting on December 1 with senior ministers and national security officials to discuss next steps regarding the situation in Venezuela.
