The Trump administration is reviving its push to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have traveled to Moscow and Kyiv, raising new questions about whether diplomacy with Vladimir Putin can succeed — and what leverage Washington is prepared to use.
Former U.S. Ambassador Daniel Fried says the latest diplomatic effort is worth taking seriously. But negotiations alone are unlikely to change the Kremlin’s calculations.
In this interview with IAM, Fried discusses:
- Why the Trump administration has revived negotiations now
- Whether Witkoff and Kushner have brought new ideas for a ceasefire
- What a meaningful progress could look like
- Why Kushner’s “win-win” approach may not work with Putin
- Is credible pressure on Russia essential for diplomacy
- The Russia sanctions bill stalled in the House
- Whether Congress can still pass tougher measures against Moscow
- How U.S. domestic politics and the midterm elections could affect Ukraine
