On the 1723rd day of war, American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner meet in Moscow with Vladimir Putin, following the Ukrainian-Russian talks that concluded Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.
The United States proposed in the Emirates that Russia prepare a new draft security agreement with Europe, in which Moscow would present not only its own demands but also the steps it is willing to take to reduce tensions. Additionally, the American envoys informed the Russians that, for serious discussions on European security to take place, they must accept the participation of European representatives in future peace negotiations.
It remains to be seen if Putin will budge from his rigid position.
For now, Volodymyr Zelensky believes there could be a “window of opportunity” to reach a ceasefire by 2027. The Ukrainian president is in Dublin, where dozens of European leaders are gathering for two days of talks focused, among other things, on the war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Russians are not just engaging in talks. A large-scale ballistic missile attack was launched last night on Kyiv, just a few hours after the peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi ended. One woman died, and two people were injured after a nine-story building was hit.
The attack on the capital came after the city of Omsk, home to Russia’s largest oil refinery, was targeted on Wednesday by a sustained drone attack lasting over eight hours, approximately 2,500 km from Ukraine’s eastern border.
A Russian colonel died this morning when the car he was in exploded in Saint Petersburg. The blast was caused by an explosive device placed under the vehicle and detonated remotely.
Meanwhile, an American strategic analysis center outlined a hypothetical scenario in which Putin dies in January 2027, and a former FSB general takes power in Russia.
Peace negotiations
- Trump’s envoys meet with Putin – American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived Thursday in Moscow for a meeting with Vladimir Putin, following the Ukrainian-Russian talks that concluded Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. “The envoys of the American president (…) were greeted by the special representative of the Russian president, Kirill Dmitriev,” upon their arrival at Vnukovo Airport, on the outskirts of Moscow, reports Interfax. After Moscow, they are scheduled to travel to Dublin for a meeting, also today, with Volodymyr Zelensky.
- The US urges Russia to formulate its demands – The US proposed in Abu Dhabi that Russia prepare a new draft security agreement with Europe, in which Moscow would present not only its own demands but also the steps it is willing to take to reduce tensions, reports Axios, citing two sources familiar with the situation. Additionally, Kushner and Witkoff informed the Russians that, for serious discussions on European security to take place, they must accept the participation of European representatives in future peace negotiations. So far, Russia has opposed the participation of Europeans in peace talks with Ukraine.
- Zelensky: A ceasefire is possible – The President of Ukraine stated that there could be a “window of opportunity” to reach a ceasefire by 2027. “What is important is that the Americans went to see Putin with concrete proposals. I would very much like them to return to Dublin with concrete proposals,” he added. Zelensky expressed skepticism but noted that “there is hope.”
- Discussions in Dublin about the war – Dozens of European leaders are set to gather today in Dublin for two days of talks focused on Ukraine, European security, and the economic challenges facing the continent, such as artificial intelligence (AI), reports dpa. At Thursday’s summit, which Nicușor Dan is also attending, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte are expected to participate. On Friday, the 27 EU leaders will meet to discuss AI as well as the latest developments in the war in Ukraine, including Kyiv’s growing financial needs. Discussions on Ukraine are expected to address ways to secure additional financial support, after Zelensky told EU leaders in October that his country needs another 70 billion euros in 2027. It is also expected that leaders will revisit the debate on who would be most suitable to represent the EU in future peace negotiations with Russia and Ukraine.
Russia’s attacks
- Ballistic missile attack on Kyiv – The Russians launched a large-scale ballistic missile attack on Kyiv during the night, a few hours after the conclusion of the second round of peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi. Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that one woman died and two people were injured after a nine-story building was hit, reports Ukrainska Pravda. A fire broke out on the third to sixth floors, he added.
- The Russians say they hit a missile factory – The Russian Ministry of Defense announced in a statement that it hit a missile factory in Kyiv, a drone assembly workshop, and a rocket fuel factory in the region of the Ukrainian capital, as well as power stations in the Zhytomyr region in western Ukraine. Russian attacks also damaged energy and civilian infrastructure in the Rivne region in northwestern Ukraine, a local Ukrainian official stated on Telegram.
- Missiles and over 120 drones – Russian forces launched missiles and 123 drones during the night. Ukrainian air defense destroyed 94 of the targets, with strikes recorded in 17 locations, reported the Ukrainian Air Forces.
Ukraine’s strikes
- Over 70 drones destroyed – Sergei Sobyanin, mayor of the Russian capital, stated on Telegram that air defense forces shot down five Ukrainian drones heading toward the city during the night. The Ministry of Defense specified that, in total, 71 Ukrainian drones were shot down on Russian territory during the night.
- Eight-hour attack on Russia’s largest refinery – The city of Omsk, home to Russia’s largest oil refinery, was targeted on Wednesday by a sustained drone attack lasting over eight hours, according to local officials and monitoring channels. The Siberian city is approximately 2,500 km from Ukraine’s eastern border, writes the Kyiv Independent. Governor Vitaly Khotsenko announced that Ukrainian drones are attacking the region and urged residents to stay indoors. Air raid sirens sounded in the city for more than eight hours, and local Telegram channels reported that the region’s airspace was closed and restrictions on mobile internet access were imposed. A fire broke out near the refinery, according to local reports. Additionally, residents reported power outages in some neighborhoods following the attacks.
What else is happening in Russia
- Colonel killed in an attack in Saint Petersburg – A high-ranking Russian military officer died this morning in Saint Petersburg after the car he was in exploded on Kolpinskoye Highway, in the Pushkinsky district of Saint Petersburg, reports Clash Report. The victim was a colonel in the 6th Army of the Air Force and Air Defense, serving as the army’s chief navigator, several local publications reported without revealing his identity. Witnesses said the blast, caused by an explosive device placed under the vehicle and remotely detonated, occurred around 7:00 AM. This is the second such attack in Saint Petersburg. On August 27, another car exploded on the same highway, killing a lieutenant colonel from the air forces and injuring his wife.
Other Relevant Information
- Analysts want to know what Russia will do after Putin’s death – The American analysis center RAND outlined a hypothetical scenario in which Putin dies in January 2027, and a former FSB general takes power in Russia, reports Nexta. The new president accepts a ceasefire in Ukraine, mediated by the USA, the United Kingdom, and other European countries. However, Russia’s objectives remain unchanged, and peace negotiations reach an impasse. As a result, the war enters a frozen conflict phase. Internal dissatisfaction grows, prompting the Kremlin to launch hybrid attacks against NATO countries, as well as a disinformation campaign portraying Russian-speaking people in Eastern Europe as victims of persecution. In May 2030, Russia provokes unrest in the Estonian city of Narva and subsequently sends troops to this city. NATO responds by invoking the collective defense clause. Fighting spreads to the Baltic region, Northern Europe, and the United Kingdom. In November, Moscow declares the conquest of Narva a victory and proposes a ceasefire. The report contains recommendations for the British government regarding preparation for a potential war and protection of critical infrastructure.
The English translation of this article was generated with the assistance of AI technology.