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A senior Russian military officer, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed on April 25, 2025, in a car bombing in the Moscow suburb of Balashikha.

The attack occurred just as U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, was in the Russian capital for high-stakes talks with President Vladimir Putin on a U.S.-brokered peace plan for Ukraine.

The explosion, which authorities are treating as a targeted assassination, has added further tension to the already fraught diplomatic discussions surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine. The assassination of Lt. Gen. Moskalik adds to a series of attacks on military figures close to Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine.

Witkoff and Putin discuss strategic diplomatic steps on Ukraine

Witkoff’s visit on April 25, 2025, marks his fourth trip to Russia in recent months. A Kremlin-released video showed Witkoff being welcomed by Putin at the Grand Kremlin Palace. The two exchanged pleasantries before sitting across a white oval table flanked by top advisers, Putin with Ushakov and Russian Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriev, and Witkoff alone on the opposite side.

“This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on several other international issues,” Ushakov told reporters following the meeting. “As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion focused in particular on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine,” he said.

Following the meeting, Ushakov described the talks as “constructive,” noting that they helped bring the U.S. and Russian positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on broader international issues. “As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion focused in particular on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine,” Ushakov said.

Car bombing in Moscow claims life of senior Russian general

The sensitive negotiations were overshadowed by a deadly car bombing that killed Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, the deputy head of Russia’s main operational directorate, just hours after the Witkoff-Putin talks concluded. The explosion occurred in Balashikha, a suburb of Moscow, when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated as Moskalik walked past a parked vehicle.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has blamed Ukraine’s special services for the assassination, suggesting the blast was part of a broader escalation in the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian officials have yet to respond to the accusations.

Russia labeled the attack as “targeted assassination,” and the Investigative Committee of Russia confirmed the explosion was caused by a remote-controlled device packed with shrapnel. “This was a premeditated and remote-controlled attack,” reported Baza, a Telegram channel with close ties to Russian law enforcement.

Surveillance footage showed the moment of the explosion, which left the car in ruins. While Ukrainian officials have not commented on the incident, it mirrors previous attacks widely attributed to Ukraine’s intelligence and security agencies, which have targeted senior Russian figures since the beginning of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

General Moskalik, 59, had participated in several high-level foreign delegations, including peace talks involving Ukraine and Western representatives in 2015 and 2019, and a diplomatic visit to Syria in 2018. Sources close to the Russian defense ministry indicated he was gaining prominence within the military hierarchy.

Ukraine’s shadow war

Ukraine has long been accused of targeting high-ranking Russian officials and collaborators in what is seen as a “shadow war” aimed at disrupting Russian command structures since the beginning of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022. These covert operations have resulted in the deaths of several senior Russian figures, such as Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov in December, who was killed by a bomb hidden in an electric scooter in Moscow.

While controversial, these tactics are viewed by Kyiv as a legitimate response to Russian aggression and a way to exact retribution for alleged war crimes. However, some analysts, including former U.S. national security adviser Keith Kellogg, have warned that such actions may “violate the rules of warfare.”

Notably, civilians have also become targets in these operations. In 2023, Darya Dugina, the daughter of prominent Russian ideologue Alexander Dugin, was killed by a bomb placed in her car in another incident attributed to Ukrainian operatives.

Assassination of General Moskalik: A blow to peace efforts

The assassination of General Moskalik threatens to derail the fragile momentum toward peace. U.S. President Trump, however, expressed cautious optimism in a statement made a day before Witkoff’s meeting with Putin. “The next few days are going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now,” Trump said. “I think we’re going to make a deal, I think we’re getting very close.”

Despite this optimism, Trump appeared less certain after the meeting. “The talks are very fragile,” he admitted, adding that he had “no deadline” for achieving peace.

Trump’s unconventional diplomacy and symbolic tensions

Witkoff’s visit is part of Trump’s unconventional diplomatic strategy, relying on personal emissaries and informal channels for sensitive negotiations. Despite lacking formal diplomatic accreditation, Trump has repeatedly emphasized that back-channel diplomacy can yield “real results.”

Symbolism has played a prominent role in this evolving diplomatic drama. In a recent interview, Trump was photographed standing beside a portrait of himself, reportedly a gift from Putin. This image has drawn criticism from analysts and European allies, who argue that it highlights the unusually warm relationship between Trump and Putin.

However, Trump’s comments about Crimea have raised concerns among Ukrainian officials and Western allies. In the same interview, Trump made a highly controversial remark, stating, “Crimea will stay with Russia.” This statement sparked fears that Washington might pressure Kyiv into accepting Moscow’s control over the Ukrainian peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

“Zelenskyy understands that,” Trump added, referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “And everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time.”

This remark has been seen as a potential concession by the U.S. in its pursuit of a peace deal, and Ukrainian officials have expressed concern that it could undermine their position on territorial sovereignty. Trump’s comments further complicate the already fragile diplomatic efforts, as Ukraine remains steadfast in its demand for the full return of Crimea as part of any resolution to the war.

President Trump is frustrated that brokering a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine has been harder than he expected. “You don’t know what pressure I’m putting on Russia … We’re putting a lot of pressure on Russia, and Russia knows that,” he told his advisers.

Trump said that “it takes two to tango,” emphasizing that Ukraine must also be willing to make a deal. He argued that Moscow has already made a substantial concession by not “taking the whole country.” Earlier, on Truth Social, Trump directly addressed Putin: “Vladimir, STOP!”—a personal plea to end the aerial bombardment.

Unconditional ceasefire proposal and diplomatic gridlock

Reports suggest that Ukrainian officials will be in London on Wednesday to discuss steps toward a ceasefire alongside their allies. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the trip on Monday, stating: “Our representatives will be in London to discuss achieving an unconditional ceasefire with Russia, leading to lasting peace.”

According to media reports, Ukrainian officials are expected to respond to a series of proposals from the Trump administration. The aim is to establish a framework that will bring an end to active combat and set the stage for broader negotiations. However, leaked documents have revealed deep disagreements between Washington and Kyiv on key points, including territorial sovereignty, sanctions relief, and Russia’s ongoing missile strikes.

Russia-Ukraine peace talks at a crossroads

As the peace talks in London and Moscow unfold in parallel, the key question remains whether Trump’s team can bridge the deep divide between Kyiv and Moscow, and what concessions, if any, each side will be willing to make. For Ukraine, the fear of being forced into unfavorable terms looms large, while Russia may see the assassination of a high-ranking general as a trigger for further retaliation.

As Trump nears his 100th day in office, the pressure is mounting for a tangible diplomatic breakthrough. The path to peace remains uncertain, with ongoing violence, covert actions, and shifting allegiances threatening to derail any progress. The outcome of these talks could not only determine the future of the Russia-Ukraine war but also reshape global relations for years to come.