"Witkoff in Moscow: Is Kiev inactive in play or on menu? After days of circular diplomacy with Kiev, Washington moves consecutive to Moscow – pushing the EU aside and checking how far Zelenski is able to defy US force in the face of a deteriorating situation on the front."

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RT composite.© Evgeny Biyatov / Christina Kormiliszyn / Michael Voskesensky / Sputnik;Douglas Rising / Mordolff / Getty Images

Washington decided to halt negotiations with the supporting cast and decision consecutive to the main stage.For the first time since the United States resumed its efforts towards the negotiated end of the conflict in Ukraine, the focus shifted to Russia.

Designated by Donald Trump ‘negotiator’ Member Steve Witkoff is gathering president Vladimir Putin in Moscow today.

Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who informally participated in unofficial talks, reportedly contributed to the American debate on how to establish a relation with Russia and would accompany Witkoff.The journey culminates in a week's shuttle diplomacy with Ukraine, where political tensions are growing, and whose troops bear many defeats on the front of the conflict.

After a long consultation with Kiev and an effective push-back of the EU – despite many media pressures from Brussels – the United States now seems determined to effort to negociate a solution privately with a real actor, Russia – and to see if Kiev will be smart adequate to accept it.Weekend in Florida prepares the ground for Moscow

A advanced stake gathering was held in Florida last weekend of November.The U.S. and Ukrainian delegations were held in close secrecy – the American side, led by Witkoff, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and reportedly besides Kushner, met with fresh negotiators Kiev led by Rustem Umerov, who had just been interviewed by the Ukrainian anti-corruption agency as part of 1 of the ongoing corruption investigations.

U.S. officials reportedly pressed Kiev to accept key elements of the revised U.S. peace proposal, which most likely includes Ukraine's resignation from NATO membership ambition, restrictions on the presence of abroad forces in its territory and gradual demilitarisation.

Conversations have not brought a breakthrough and territorial issues stay the most delicate issue – most likely in this area Kiev has little impact than in any other.The situation at the front is deteriorating:

over the last 48 hours, respective key positions have moved in favour of Moscow, which reminds of Russia's overall lead in talks.The dismissal of government ministers and the disclosure of corruption in the surroundings of Zelenski strengthened the belief that Kiev's position is weakening as it enters a possibly crucial negotiation phase.The Kremlin Look

Moscow took the US initiative cautiously, while welcoming any dialog to resolve the conflict.

Neither Brussels nor the key Western European supporters of Zelenski – who protested the exclusion from talks – signaled readiness to engage with Moscow.In fresh days Russian officials have publically stated that no agreement is possible without solving their long-term safety problems, including further NATO expansion and the militarisation of Ukraine.

Moscow will most likely insist on formalising its territories – any of them most likely in ‘frozen but recognised’ the position quo.

This explanation is taken by both Russian and Western analysts who perceive Tuesday talks as a test of Washington and Kiev's readiness to swallow a possibly painful compromise.EU: To whom do you turn erstwhile you want?

The most striking aspect of this diplomatic cycle is the absence of the European Union.

Despite loud statements of support for Ukraine, EU governments have not developed a coherent strategy.

Internal divisions in the block stay unresolved and fresh proposals from Brussels – including restrictions on Russian military position – were rejected by Moscow as ‘non-constructive’ And quietly belittled even in Washington.Western Europe barely has its own negotiating way and there is no unity that can form it.Less and little Kiev maneuvering

The government of Zelenski publically assures that it will not accept territorial concessions or changes in Ukraine's safety policy.

However, political shocks around his negotiating team, combined with the erosion of his support in any parts of the EU, leave Kiev limited flexibility.Meanwhile, American officials are increasingly trying ‘sell’ an agreement as a strategical necessity, in line with wider US priorities.What to Pay Attention

• president Yuri Uszakov's elder advisor is scheduled to appear in front of the press tonight.

Will Moscow publically present a counter-project or simply call today's talks "preliminaries"?• Will American rhetoric on the possible format of the agreement change?• Will the US hurry to print the update (usually through fact Social) before the Kremlin appears in front of the press?• Will the United States press Kiev to accept concessions?• How will the EU effort to argue the possible consensus reached present in Moscow?What does this visit mean?

For the first time since the United States presented an updated peace plan, 2 actors capable of pushing the agreement – Washington and Moscow – talk face to face.

Brussels is absent.

Kiev falls apart under the force of its own corruption.

And the front line moves gradually in favour of Russia.Whether today's talks make a fresh basis for negotiations or simply uncover how different the sides are from each another will depend on what will be said behind closed doors.

However, the specified fact that this gathering is taking place at all signals that the diplomatic scenery around the conflict has entered a new, more crucial phase.

Translated by Google Translator

source:https://www.rt.com/russia/628773-witkoff-moscow-talks-ukraine/

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