Ukraine war latest: Putin and Trump’s negotiators to hold key peace talks – as Briton detained for ‘spying for Russia’

Tuesday 2 December 2025 — 10:13 (UK)
LIVE | Russia–Ukraine War Coverage

As Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrive in Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin on Washington’s proposed peace plan, tensions on the battlefield continue to escalate — and Russia claims it has taken a key Ukrainian city. Here are the latest developments.

Key Updates

• Briton detained in Ukraine on suspicion of spying for Russia

• Trump negotiators in Moscow for peace talks

• Zelenskyy lands in Dublin for first official visit

• Battlefield: Russia claims capture of Pokrovsk, though Ukraine says it still holds parts of the city

• Analysis: Moscow’s battlefield claims appear aimed at influencing US negotiations

Kremlin: Witkoff–Putin meeting ‘an important step toward peace’

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says today’s meeting with Trump’s envoys is “an important step towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

The talks are expected to cover recent understandings reached between Washington and Kyiv.
A plane linked to Steve Witkoff has now entered Russian airspace, though his presence on board has not been confirmed.

Russian drone strike kills one in Kramatorsk

Ukraine’s emergency services say a drone hit a nine-storey residential building in Kramatorsk, killing one person and injuring others. Fire crews rescued several residents and extinguished a large blaze.

Russia’s push to capture Pokrovsk and nearby Kostiantynivka could open the route north toward major Ukrainian-held cities including Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
Ukraine’s interior ministry also reports 14 people injured overnight by shelling in the Kherson region.

Briton arrested in Ukraine on suspicion of spying for Russia

Ukrainian security services (SBU), working with British intelligence, have detained a former UK soldier accused of being recruited by Russia’s FSB for “easy money.”

Allegations include:

• passing military information to Russia

• providing coordinates of training centres

• receiving instructions on making an explosive device

• preparing potential terrorist attacks

He faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted.

Why Pokrovsk matters

Pokrovsk — nicknamed “the gateway to Donetsk” — is one of Ukraine’s most strategically important logistics hubs.
If fully captured, it would:

• restrict Ukraine’s supply routes

• open the way for Russian advances toward Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and remaining parts of Donbas

• strengthen Russia’s leverage in peace negotiations

Russia claims to have taken the city, releasing video of soldiers holding a flag in central Pokrovsk.
Ukraine insists its forces still hold the city’s northern sector and are counterattacking to the south.

Analysis: Russia’s claims aimed at Washington

Moscow’s assertions of success in Pokrovsk are widely seen as a tactical message to Trump’s negotiators.
Sky News’ Ivor Bennett says the timing is intentional:
“Russia wants the US to come to the table believing Moscow holds battlefield superiority — and therefore should define the terms of any agreement.”

Analysts expect today’s talks to be challenging, with little sign Russia is willing to compromise.

Zelenskyy arrives in Ireland

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Dublin late Monday for a historic first official visit.
Talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin will focus on strengthening Ukraine’s negotiating position and securing long-term peace.

Russia made its largest advance in a year — study

An AFP analysis using Institute for the Study of War data shows Russia gained 270 square miles of territory in November — its biggest advance since late 2024.
Moscow now controls about 19.3% of Ukraine’s territory (full or partial).

Putin emphasises ‘success’ before meeting US negotiators

Ahead of today’s negotiations, Putin publicly praised the alleged capture of Pokrovsk, saying it allows Russia to “proceed with offensive tasks.”
His visit to a military command post was accompanied by reports of further advances in Kharkiv’s Vovchansk area.
None of the claims have been independently verified.

Witkoff’s mission under scrutiny

Steve Witkoff — previously criticised after leaked transcripts suggested he coached a Kremlin official on influencing Trump — now leads Washington’s push for peace, accompanied by Jared Kushner.
Negotiators recently held talks with Kyiv in Geneva and in Florida, attempting to revise a leaked 28-point plan initially viewed as too favourable to Moscow.
Analysts expect Russia to push for concessions.