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Witkoff May Head to Russia Following Ukraine Talks in London This Week, WSJ Reports

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Vlad Litnarovych
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Witkoff May Head to Russia Following Ukraine Talks in London This Week, WSJ Reports
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrives for a meeting with the French President’s diplomatic advisor at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on April 17, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Steve Witkoff, the US President’s Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs, may travel to Russia following a round of high-level diplomatic meetings in London, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Western officials on April 20.

CNN previously reported that Washington was preparing for another round of talks between Witkoff and Russian officials, although no specifics were disclosed at the time.

According to sources, a series of multilateral meetings is set to take place in London later this week involving officials from the United States, Ukraine, and the European Union.

Attendees are expected to include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, and Steve Witkoff himself.

Depending on how those talks unfold, Witkoff could then travel to Moscow.

WSJ reports that during an earlier meeting in Paris on April 17, US officials presented Ukraine with a classified document outlining proposals for achieving a “durable peace in Ukraine.”

One of the most debated aspects of the proposal is the idea that the US might officially acknowledge Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. The plan also excludes the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO.

"NATO isn’t on the table,” said US Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg in an interview with Fox News on April 20

The document was later discussed with European allies, and the US State Department confirmed that Russia had also been briefed on its contents.

Washington is now awaiting an official response from Kyiv, expected to be delivered during the upcoming London meetings. If Ukraine’s position aligns with the proposals, the package will then be formally submitted to Moscow.

A senior State Department official clarified to WSJ that the proposals do not constitute an ultimatum, but rather a “list of potential options for discussion.”

Should Witkoff travel to Russia, it would mark at least his fourth visit this year. The Kremlin has yet to comment on the prospect of renewed talks.

Earlier, Witkoff confirmed he discussed Ukrainian territorial issues with Russian leader Vladimir Putin during a recent trip to Russia.

In the interview, Witkoff said Putin was fixated on Ukrainian land and claimed Russia may end up retaining control over part of the territory it has seized—but not all of it.

He also suggested Ukraine may care less about certain regions if they are Russian-speaking.

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