The United States under President Donald Trump is signaling an ambitious new push to end the war in Ukraine, with Trump’s special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff setting a year-end target for a peace deal. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on August 26, Witkoff revealed that discussions with both Russian and Ukrainian representatives are advancing, and that Washington is “hopeful” that the necessary “ingredients” for a lasting settlement will be in place by the close of 2025.

The comments mark the clearest indication yet that the Trump administration is moving toward a structured timeline for peace. Witkoff has made it clear that a proposal from Moscow is already “on the table,” though the specifics remain guarded. His public optimism, however, signals a significant shift in tone compared to previous US administrations, which have largely maintained that only Ukraine could dictate the terms of negotiations.

According to Witkoff, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed an explicit desire to end the conflict. During the much-publicized Alaska summit earlier this month, Trump and Putin reportedly held extensive discussions on Moscow’s vision for a peace framework. Although no official text has been released, Russia’s long-standing conditions remain familiar: Ukraine must commit to staying out of NATO, agree to partial demilitarization and “denazification,” and formally recognize Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye as Russian territories.

These points are contentious not only for Kiev but also for many of its Western allies. Ukraine has repeatedly rejected territorial........

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