US Prepares New Diplomatic Push to Moscow: Agenda for Putin Talks Revealed.

Negotiations on a Ukraine Peace Plan

According to UATV: U.S. Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff and businessman Jared Kushner are reportedly planning a visit to Moscow in late January 2026 to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This would mark Whitkoff's seventh such trip within a year. According to sources, the blueprint for a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine conflict is already 90% complete. These talks occur against a backdrop of sustained Western pressure on Russia, even as diplomatic channels remain open.

A previous meeting in Russia during December 2025 failed to yield significant progress. Concurrently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has directed his team to finalize a security guarantees document with the United States within two weeks, emphasizing that

"this document must be of historic significance"

Fresh Sanctions Against Russia

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has announced the preparation of a 20th sanctions package against Russia, expected to be ready by February 2026. She stated that

"this war could go on for a long time unless we collectively pressure Russia to stop it"

Furthermore, a meeting of the 'coalition of the willing' took place in Paris on January 6, 2026, and U.S. President Donald Trump has scheduled a meeting with G7 allies in Davos for the following week. It is noted that the proposed legislation would grant President Trump significant leverage to pressure countries to stop purchasing cheap Russian oil, according to Senator Lindsey Graham.

The planned visit by Whitkoff and Kushner, alongside this flurry of international activity, signals a continued dual-track approach of pursuing diplomacy while maintaining pressure. The preparation of new sanctions underscores that Western nations are not relenting in their efforts to isolate Moscow, particularly targeting its energy exports. The clear and consistent positions of Ukraine and its allies, backed by critical support from the U.S. and Europe, remain pivotal for the region's future trajectory.