Russia and Ukraine haven’t held direct talks for the reason that early weeks of the conflict, which began in February 2022.
US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin for 3 hours in Moscow to debate US efforts to finish the Ukraine war, and the Kremlin stated the 2 sides’ positions had moved nearer.
Witkoff has emerged as Washington’s key interlocutor with Putin as Trump pushes for a deal to finish the conflict, now effectively into its fourth yr, and has already had three prolonged conferences with the Kremlin chief.
On Thursday, video revealed by Russian state media confirmed Witkoff assembly Putin on the Kremlin, with the 2 smiling, shaking palms and exchanging just a few phrases in English earlier than starting talks.
Kremlin overseas coverage aide Yuri Ushakov, who took half within the assembly with Witkoff on Friday, described the three-hour assembly as constructive and really helpful.
“This dialog allowed Russia and america to additional carry their positions nearer collectively, not solely on Ukraine but in addition on a variety of different worldwide points,” he informed reporters.
“As for the Ukrainian disaster itself, the dialogue targeted particularly on the potential for resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine.”
Russia and Ukraine haven’t held direct talks for the reason that early weeks of the war, which began when Putin ordered a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Witkoff and the White Home haven’t but commented on the end result of the assembly.
His newest journey follows talks this week at which Ukrainian and European officers pushed again in opposition to a few of the US proposals for methods to settle Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, the deadliest in Europe since World Warfare II.
Trump has threatened to stroll away from talks if he doesn’t see progress in the direction of a ceasefire.
On Thursday, after Russian assaults on Kyiv killed 12 folks, Trump wrote on social media: “Vladimir, STOP!”, including “Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”
When requested how he would reply if Russia didn’t settle for a deal, Trump stated Thursday, “I received’t be completely happy, let me put it that manner. Issues will occur.”
Russia, which has warned in opposition to dashing right into a peace settlement, stated Thursday it was “prepared to achieve a deal” however wanted sure points addressed first.
“There are nonetheless some particular factors … which have to be fine-tuned, and we’re busy with this,” its overseas minister, Sergei Lavrov, informed CBS Information.
The USA has recommended freezing the entrance line and accepting Russian management of Crimea, a peninsula annexed by the Kremlin in 2014, in trade for peace.
Trump was quoted in a TIME journal interview revealed on Friday as saying, “Crimea will stick with Russia. And Zelenskyy understands that.”
Ukraine has rejected ceding floor to Moscow, and says it won’t settle for Russian management of Crimea, which has been occupied by Russia since 2014.
However Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has in latest months accepted that he may need to attempt to safe the return of some land captured by Russia via diplomacy as soon as a ceasefire is in place.
