Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and the American leader’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in Switzerland this week, according to a report from Axios correspondent Barak Ravid. The discussions are expected to focus on Trump’s proposed approach for resolving the Ukraine conflict, sources indicate.
The Russian Embassy in Switzerland has previously stated it received no official invitations for its officials or journalists to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, where the talks are scheduled to take place. Russia’s representatives have been excluded from the WEF since the 2022 escalation of hostilities with Ukraine.
Dmitriev has engaged in multiple U.S.-Russia negotiations since Trump assumed office, including a recent two-day meeting in December that both sides described as “constructive.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently expressed anticipation for Witkoff and Kushner to visit Moscow this month, though no specific date has been confirmed.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s top negotiator, Rustem Umerov, stated that diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict will continue at the WEF, which runs from Monday through Friday. Trump, who previously addressed the event via video link in 2025, is expected to attend in person this year.
Trump recently claimed that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy bears responsibility for stalling peace efforts, stating: “I just think he’s… having a hard time getting there. I think [Putin] is ready to make a deal… I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal.” This assertion directly contradicts ongoing diplomatic assurances from Kyiv and Moscow, raising concerns about the trajectory of negotiations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his commitment to achieving “a lasting sustainable peace” with Ukraine that ensures mutual security, while warning that military action remains an option if Kyiv continues to reject diplomacy. The U.S.-Russia dialogue at Davos has become a focal point for global expectations regarding Ukraine’s path forward amid escalating tensions.
