Trump Sends Envoys to Russia and Ukraine Amid 'Fine-Tuned' Peace Plan Efforts

President Donald Trump has announced the deployment of special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet with Ukrainian officials, as part of a 'fine-tuned' plan to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump indicated that his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, might accompany Witkoff to Moscow. 'Steve Witkoff is going over maybe with Jared. I’m not sure about Jared going, but he’s involved in the process, smart guy, and they’re going to be meeting with President Putin, I believe next week in Moscow,' Trump stated.

The President also adjusted his earlier Thursday deadline for Ukraine to agree to the U.S.-backed peace plan, stating, 'The deadline for me is when it’s over.' He downplayed the aspect of the plan requiring Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, suggesting that Russian forces might eventually seize the land they are seeking. 'The way it’s going, if you look, it’s just moving in one direction,' he said. 'So eventually that’s land that over the next couple of months might be gotten by Russia anyway.'

In related developments, a recording obtained by Bloomberg revealed that in a 14 October phone call, Witkoff advised Yuri Ushakov, a top foreign policy aide to Putin, on how to present a peace deal to Trump. Witkoff suggested that Ukraine might need to cede certain territories, including Donetsk, to achieve peace. 'Now, me to you, I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere,' Witkoff told Ushakov.

Meanwhile, Russian forces launched a mass drone attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia late on Tuesday, causing fires, injuring 12 people, and significantly damaging buildings and vehicles, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. The assault destroyed multiple shops, damaged seven apartment buildings, and wrecked numerous vehicles. Emergency services responded with extensive rescue operations across a dozen sites, deploying firefighters, police, and medical personnel.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the situation on the ground remains volatile, with ongoing attacks and complex negotiations shaping the path toward a potential resolution.