Russia reports advancement in Ukraine talks, with US envoy conferring with Putin; Kremlin advisor highlights potential for re-establishing direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine.
Here's the Rewritten Article:
Donald Trump's Special Envoy Meets Putin on Ukraine Crisis:
In a three-hour meeting in Moscow, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ways to end the ongoing Ukraine conflict, now entering its fifth year. The Kremlin shared that both sides have moved closer in their positions.
Witkoff has served as a key intermediary in talks with Putin, as Trump pushes for a deal to bring an end to the war. The two have previously met for lengthy discussions, with this encounter making it the third such meeting.
Footage published by Russian state media showed Witkoff and Putin conversing in the Kremlin, with smiles, handshakes, and a brief exchange in English before moving into private discussions. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, who participated in the meeting on Friday, spoke positively about the talks, stating they were "constructive and very useful."
Ushakov noted that the meeting allowed the United States and Russia to get closer on not only the Ukraine issue but also several other international matters. According to Ushakov, the discussion between Witkoff and Putin primarily focused on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, which have not happened since the early weeks of the conflict.
Trump later shared on his Truth Social platform that the discussions were a "good day" of talks and meetings. He mentioned that "most of the major points" were agreed upon and both sides should meet at "very high levels" to "finish it off."
Russian attacks on Kyiv that resulted in 12 fatalities took place on the day of the talks, prompting Trump to write on social media, "Vladimir, STOP!" He additionally wrote, "Let's get the Peace Deal DONE!" When asked about potential consequences if Russia refuses to accept a deal, Trump answered, "I won't be happy, let me put it that way. Things will happen."
Russia has previously warned against rushing into a peace settlement, stating that there are several issues that require further attention before reaching a deal. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shared, "There are still some specific points ... which need to be fine-tuned, and we are busy with this."
The United States has suggested a ceasefire and the freezing of the front line, even considering the acceptance of Russian control of Crimea in exchange for peace. However, Ukraine has rejected any concessions that would involve ceding territory, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating, "Our position is unchanged. The constitution of Ukraine says that all the temporarily occupied territories ... belong to Ukraine."
Additional Insights:
- The latest developments in the negotiations between the US and Russia on the Ukraine conflict revolve around the role of Steve Witkoff and potential concessions that might be made by both sides. While there has been no mention of Russia offering to recognize its own control over Crimea in exchange for peace, the US has proposed that Russia accept Ukraine's right to build its military capabilities. This stance contradicts Russia's demands for Ukrainian demilitarization in earlier negotiations.
- Other diplomatic efforts involve economic cooperation and mineral agreements between the US and Ukraine, as part of the broader Ukrainian-European proposals.
- Any concessions that might involve legitimizing Russian control over Ukrainian territories could face significant international opposition and potentially aggravate the conflict.
- In a new development, the Ukraine conflict, now in its fifth year, that President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is trying to resolve, has seen the United States and Russia move closer in their positions following a three-hour meeting between Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
- The meeting between Witkoff and Putin demonstrated a promising sign of resolution as they discussed resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, a move that has not been made since the early weeks of the war.
- According to Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, the discussions were constructive and focused on exchanging concessions, with the potential for Russia to recognize Ukraine's right to build its military capabilities – a stance that contrasts Russia's earlier demands for Ukrainian demilitarization.
- Meanwhile, in a testament to the importance placed on finding a peaceful resolution, US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that "most of the major points" were agreed upon, and both sides should meet at "very high levels" to "finish it off."
- As news of these developments unfold, governments and international organizations must carefully consider the implications of any potential concessions that might involve legitimizing Russian control over Ukrainian territories, as such moves could face significant international opposition and potentially aggravate the conflict within the broader context of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news.
