Representatives of US President Donald Trump - Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff, Senior White House Advisor Josh Grunbaum, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner - met behind closed doors with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on January 22. At the meeting, the next round of solutions to stop the war initiated by Russia against Ukraine was discussed.
Kushner served as Trump's senior advisor from January 2017 to January 2021. Currently, he does not hold official status in the US administration, but it is noted that he retains influence over his father-in-law and participates in the White House's diplomatic and political initiatives.
Grünbaum participated in the negotiations for the first time
Josh Gryunbaum is the Commissioner of the Federal Procurement Service within the U.S. General Services Administration. He has also been appointed Senior Advisor to the recently established Peace Council by Trump. It was noted that he participated in these negotiations for the first time.
The conversation lasted more than 3.5 hours
According to the Kremlin press service, the conversation lasted more than 3.5 hours. On the Russian side, in addition to Vladimir Putin, his assistant, Yuri Ushakov, and the special representative of the Russian president, the general director of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, participated in the meeting.
It is expected that following the negotiations, Yuri Ushakov will hold a telephone briefing for the media.
The result of the previous meeting did not give a big turn
The previous similar meeting between Whitkoff and Putin took place in early December 2025. At that time, there were reports that the negotiations lasted five hours, but did not bring a significant breakthrough.
The issue of the "Peace Council" and frozen assets is also on the agenda
TASS, citing Putin's statements on the eve of the meeting, reported that, among other issues, the parties plan to discuss inviting Russia to the "Peace Council" established by Trump to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli and other conflicts. At the same time, it was said that the fate of Russian assets frozen on US territory could also be discussed.
On January 21, Putin stated that $1 billion could be directed from these assets to the "Peace Council," and the remaining portion could be allocated for the restoration of territories damaged during Russia's war against Ukraine. However, it is unclear whether this refers to the territories under Kyiv's control or those controlled by Russia.
The next stage in Abu Dhabi is expected
It is expected that the next discussions on the peace agreement in Ukraine will continue on January 23 in Abu Dhabi. It is said that for the first time in a long time, representatives of Moscow and Kyiv will meet there directly. The US is expected to participate in the process as an intermediary.
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