Russia ready to host US envoys Witkoff, Kushner once plans clear

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Thursday that Moscow is prepared to host US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for negotiations once their intended agenda becomes clear. Speaking in an interview with Russian state news agency Tass, Ryabkov noted that while public reports about the potential visit appear periodically, the issue remains under active consideration by Russian authorities.

“We will certainly be able to promptly arrange their reception once it becomes clearer what their actual plans are,” Ryabkov said, adding that the Kremlin awaits specific details before confirming any dates for the high-level diplomatic engagement.

Ukraine peace proposals

Ryabkov flatly dismissed recent media reports suggesting that Ukraine had presented new peace proposals to the United States for transmission to Moscow, stating that no such communications have arrived through diplomatic channels. “No,” Ryabkov responded when asked whether Russia was aware of any new Ukrainian initiatives, adding that Washington had not conveyed any proposals to the Kremlin.

The denial comes amid ongoing speculation about potential diplomatic off-ramps for the conflict, though Ryabkov emphasized that Moscow remains vigilant about monitoring all developments related to the war and any purported settlement frameworks.

UN leadership concerns

Ryabkov characterized the United Nations as experiencing a prolonged institutional crisis, asserting that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres fully understands Moscow's grievances regarding the organization's current functioning. “The UN is in a state of a certain crisis. This crisis is prolonged,” he stated, noting that Guterres “perfectly understands the essence of the claims that the Russian side is making.”

The diplomat warned that Russia is carefully scrutinizing all candidates vying to succeed Guterres when his term expires, demanding concrete actions rather than mere rhetoric from potential successors. “Assurances, words, promises and statements are not enough,” Ryabkov said, stressing that “concrete actions are needed” and the next secretary-general must address Russia's concerns to prevent the organization from fading into irrelevance.

Cuba policy criticism

Ryabkov criticized Washington's policy toward Havana, drawing a direct parallel between what he termed American “aggression” against Cuba and Western military efforts to undermine Russia through the Ukrainian government. “The aggression that has descended on Cuba and the attempts to undermine the unity of our country and defeat it by military means, using the regime in Kyiv as a battering ram, are events of the same order,” he said, rejecting US sanctions as manifestations of “powerlessness” that would fail to break Cuban resolve.

The comments reflect Moscow's diplomatic alignment with Havana as both capitals face sustained American economic pressure, with Ryabkov expressing “unwavering solidarity” with Cuba while dismissing the latest US sanctions measures as ineffective gestures.