Kremlin Envoy Kirill Dmitriev Holds Talks with US Officials Witkoff and Kushner at Davos on Ukraine Peace

High-Level Discussions on Ukraine Peace Held in Davos

A significant diplomatic engagement unfolded at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on January 20, 2026, as Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev met with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The high-profile discussions centered on efforts to broker a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the annual forum, which runs from January 19 to 23, 2026.

Key Figures and Their Roles

The participants in the meeting hold influential positions in their respective governments' diplomatic efforts:

• Kirill Dmitriev: As the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and a Special Presidential Envoy on Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation, Dmitriev has emerged as a key interlocutor in backchannel communications between the Kremlin and the Trump administration. He has been described as a 'Putin's Trump-whisperer' and a central figure in drafting peace proposals for Ukraine.
• Steve Witkoff: Appointed as the US special envoy to the Middle East and for peace missions, Witkoff, a real estate developer and close associate of President Donald Trump, has also served as a de facto envoy to Russian President Vladimir Putin. His role has expanded to include negotiations on the Ukraine conflict, marking his fifth known encounter with Dmitriev since President Trump's second term began in January 2025.
• Jared Kushner: President Trump's son-in-law and an unofficial advisor, Kushner has recently become publicly involved in Ukraine peace negotiations. He previously traveled to Moscow with Witkoff in December to meet with President Vladimir Putin.

Focus on US Peace Proposal and Meeting Outcomes

The talks in Davos reportedly focused on a 'US plan' or the 'Trump administration's peace proposal' aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Following the two-hour meeting, both sides offered positive assessments. Dmitriev characterized the discussions as 'constructive,' stating that 'more and more people are realising that Russia's position is right.' Witkoff echoed this sentiment, describing the meeting as 'very positive.' However, no specific agreements or breakthroughs were immediately announced.

Broader Context of Diplomacy at WEF

The meeting between Dmitriev, Witkoff, and Kushner occurs within a broader diplomatic landscape at the World Economic Forum. While Russian representatives have not been officially invited to the annual Davos meetings since March 2022 due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Dmitriev's presence underscores ongoing backchannel efforts. US President Donald Trump is also scheduled to attend the WEF, and discussions involving Ukrainian officials regarding security guarantees and a potential US$800 billion postwar reconstruction and prosperity framework are also taking place.