Vladimir Putin greets Donald Trump’s envoy, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, in the Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, December 2, 2025
EA on War and Politics 24: Dealing with Witkoff and Kushner in the Kremlin
EA-Times Radio VideoCast: Witkoff and Kushner Confer with the Kremlin
EA on RTE: Zelensky in Ireland
Ukraine War, Day 1,378: Nothing Happens in 5-Hour Witkoff-Kushner-Putin Talks
UPDATE, DEC 4:
I joined Pakistan TV on Wednesday for a 25-minute discussion of the Kremlin visit by real estate developer Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
With few details coming from the meeting, I analyze how Vladimir Putin is trying to maintain his use of Witkoff and Kushner for an ultimatum for Ukraine’s capitulation — and whether Kyiv, Europe, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will prevent him from doing so.
Along the way, I take apart the pro-Kremlin propaganda of Gleb Gryzlov of Moscow’s Russian International Affairs Council.
Watch from 16:17:
ORIGINAL ENTRY, DEC 3:
I joined RTE Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday night to analyze the visit to the Kremlin of Donald Trump’s envoy, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The meeting took place as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky was on his own trip, a successful series of discussions and speeches in Ireland.
Watch Discussion from 2:33
With no significant outcome from the meeting with Vladimir Putin, I set out the two competing proposals: an ultimatum to Ukraine developed by Putin’s advisor Kirill Dmitriev, Witkoff, and Kushner, and a European counter-proposal — supported by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio — with the priority of a ceasefire and security guarantees for Kyiv.
I draw upon the observations of another guest, former Ukraine Government advisor Alexander Khara. I also knock back the fact-free spin of Trump spokesperson Carla Sands, highlighting the personal interests of Trump and his camp in business opportunities and profits.
The question we have tonight: will Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner support the call for a ceasefire or will they go back to the original plan with the Kremlin?
And as I dismantle Sands’ declaration that “Russia is winning”, I conclude:
If Ukraine continues to have Europe behind it, then it can continue to resist the Russian ultimatum. But in Washington, will the Witkoff-Kushner faction continue to work with the Kremlin to sell out Ukraine, or will the Rubio faction continue to ensure the defense of Kyiv?
