Putin–Trump envoys hold first direct talks on Ukraine plan
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Donald Trump’s envoys marked the first direct dialogue on Washington’s proposed Ukraine settlement, noting that Moscow accepted some points while rejecting others and signaling readiness for continued negotiations.
The Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s talks in Moscow with US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff represented the first direct discussion between the two capitals on former President Donald Trump’s proposed framework for ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia was evaluating the plan point by point, saying “some ideas were met positively, while others were not acceptable for us.”
Ongoing negotiation process
Peskov underlined that Moscow is prepared to continue its engagement with Washington for as long as needed to achieve what he described as a “realistic and lasting” settlement in Ukraine. He dismissed claims that Putin had rejected the US proposal outright, arguing that expert-level consultations are still underway and could pave the way for a future conversation between Putin and Trump. A phone call between the two leaders, he added, “could be arranged at short notice” if progress is made.
Quiet diplomacy between Moscow and Washington
Asked whether sensitive elements of the talks might surface in the media, Peskov said both sides agreed that the negotiations must be handled discreetly to be effective. He declined to comment on whether Russia had documented any amendments to the US proposal or on reports that Kushner and Witkoff brought new written materials. “The more quietly these discussions proceed, the more productive they will be,” he noted.
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EU stance and energy debate
Commenting on Europe’s position, Peskov argued that EU governments are not involved in the peace discussions because they remain focused on what he called attempts to deliver a “strategic defeat” to Russia. He also responded to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s remarks about phasing out Russian gas, warning that abandoning Russian energy could leave Europe dependent on significantly higher-priced imports and weaken its role in the global economy. Türkiye, which maintains dialogue with both Moscow and Western partners, continues to follow the evolving diplomatic landscape closely.
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