Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Tuesday with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin to discuss a proposed peace plan for the conflict in Ukraine. The meeting comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts by Washington to mediate a resolution, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressing cautious optimism about the U.S.-led initiatives.
Speaking from Dublin, Ireland, following talks with European officials, Zelensky said he was encouraged by the speed of the negotiations. “There was some optimism in my remarks due to the rapid pace of talks,” he noted, adding that Washington “has shown it is committed to every diplomatic channel for dialogue, which is a positive sign.” According to U.S. sources cited by Axios, Whitkov and Kushner may meet Zelensky in a European country to brief him on the outcomes of their discussions with Putin.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the meeting as a “key step toward a peaceful solution” to the Ukraine conflict. Speaking to Russian media outlet RT, Peskov said the discussions would cover progress made in Washington’s recent talks with Kyiv. He stressed that Russia is open to peace negotiations but must achieve its objectives within the framework of the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine. “Russia wants a solution to the Ukrainian conflict that will endure for generations,” Peskov added.
The Kremlin confirmed that Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, joined Witkoff during the meeting to review proposals aimed at ending the war. The session began in the late afternoon local time (14:00 GMT). Witkoff’s agenda included briefing Putin on recent discussions with the Ukrainian delegation in Miami and presenting Trump’s recommendations for conflict resolution.
Peskov emphasized Moscow’s focus on establishing a comprehensive European security framework and reiterated Russia’s opposition to Western sanctions on its oil sector, which the Kremlin considers illegal. At the same time, he reaffirmed Russia’s willingness to engage in peace talks, highlighting that these discussions must align with Moscow’s defined military and strategic objectives.
While dialogue between Russia and Europe remains limited, the Kremlin expressed appreciation for efforts by the Trump administration to advance negotiations and underscored the importance of maintaining uninterrupted trade relations with India, free from third-party interference or pressure.
