CNN: Trump Sent An Atypical Delegation To Russian Federation Talks
- 2.12.2025, 8:13
Washington is trying to fast-track a new diplomatic track.
The administration in Washington is trying to fast-track a new diplomatic track and is tapping people whose roles have not previously been associated with international negotiations.
It's being reported by CNN.
The Donald Trump administration has stepped up efforts to push the idea of a peace deal on Ukraine by tapping an atypical diplomatic team.
On Tuesday, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Moscow, where they are scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin.
The two representatives have not been confirmed by the Senate and have no classical diplomatic training, but Trump calls them the most effective mediators capable of, as he has said, "closing an agreement."
American officials recall that it was Witkoff and Kushner who were involved in the process that previously led to a truce between Israel and Hamas.
Personal channels instead of institutions
Trump's second cadence is characterized by a move away from traditional diplomatic tools: he relies on a small circle of business partners and allies.
Former State Department officials note that the president shuns bureaucratic structures and prefers personal contacts.
Witkoff's ties to Russian officials, meanwhile, have raised concerns among allies: according to CNN, some meetings were held without U.S. advisers.
Trump recounted that one of his conversations with Putin lasted five hours instead of the planned twenty minutes.
Kushner's Growing Role
Kushner, despite his lack of formal status, quickly assumed a key position in the talks. Sources say other leaders see his involvement as a personal conduit to Trump.
He and Witkoff have already held meetings with the Ukrainian delegation. But contacts with Russia have intensified criticism: in October, they met in Miami with sanctioned Russian businessman Kirill Dmitriev.
The 28-point plan and the new team
After a series of consultations, a draft 28-point peace plan emerged that was sharply criticized in the U.S. Congress and European capitals as too favorable to Moscow.
The White House said the document was prepared by Witkoff and Marco Rubio and was being tweaked. Rubio led subsequent talks in Geneva and Florida and reported "significant progress," though Ukrainian sources emphasize: no final decision yet.
Additional role in the talks is being played by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, whom Trump calls "his drone guy."
He has worked with Ukrainian representatives in Kiev and Geneva and has been in contact with Russian participants in Abu Dhabi, but he is not being sent to Moscow.
Washington's Optimism and Kiev's Doubts
Ahead of the Moscow visit, White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said the administration was "extremely optimistic."
She said points in the document have been significantly finalized, but the details remain up to negotiators.
Ukrainian officials see Kushner's participation as a signal that Washington believes an agreement is possible.
But they believe the process is far from over. Marco Rubio, for his part, said that "there is no indication that the Kremlin really wants peace," and the upcoming talks promise to be difficult.