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US-Russia Dialogue: Recent Talks Suggest Potential Movement on Ukraine Crisis
In a significant diplomatic development, US envoy Steve Witkoff engaged in three hours of “constructive” discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. This meeting marks Witkoff’s fourth visit to Russia this year and reflects ongoing efforts to address the complex situation regarding Ukraine.
Yuri Ushakov, a senior aide to Putin, conveyed that the potential for Russia and Ukraine to restart direct negotiations was a central topic. While details from the US side about the meeting remain scarce, President Donald Trump indicated that progress may be on the horizon, suggesting that an agreement could be reached.
Amidst these discussions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for international allies to intensify pressure on Russia. He criticizes Moscow for its lack of agreement to a previously proposed temporary ceasefire orchestrated by the US, underlining a growing sense of urgency.
Traffic in central Moscow was notably disrupted as Witkoff’s convoy arrived, underscoring the significance of the meeting. Ushakov described the engagement as “constructive and very useful,” suggesting that it contributed to aligning Russian and US viewpoints on various international matters, not exclusively those concerning Ukraine.
In a prior statement, Putin indicated for the first time a willingness to pursue dialogues with Zelensky, which could signal a shift in the atmosphere surrounding the conflict. This openness appears to be a response to Zelensky’s call for a 30-day extension of a 30-hour Easter truce, although a formal agreement has yet to materialize.
While the discussion proceeded in Moscow, President Trump asserted that discussions were progressing favorably. He noted the importance of concluding the ongoing violence that has resulted in substantial casualties and remarked on the possibility of achieving advantageous trade agreements in the future.
However, the perspectives of Russia and Ukraine remain notably divergent, particularly as Ukraine was not represented in the Moscow talks. In a message posted on social media, Zelensky criticized Russia for its unwillingness to accept the ceasefire arrangement proposed by the US in early March, calling for increased leverage on Moscow.
Zelensky pointed out that after 45 days of silence from Russia regarding peace efforts, persistent pressure is crucial for a resolution. He voiced concerns about Russia’s capability to acquire missiles from nations like North Korea, which have been implicated in recent strikes that have led to civilian casualties, including a devastating missile attack in Kyiv that resulted in multiple deaths.
Trump responded to the ongoing conflict by asserting that significant pressure was being exerted on both sides to achieve peace, issuing a direct message to Putin to “STOP.”
Despite the escalating conflict, Trump has recently shifted the narrative, attributing the initiation of hostilities to Ukraine’s discussions about NATO membership, which he believes sparked the war. He has further pressured Ukraine to consider territorial concessions, particularly in relation to Crimea, a region annexed by Russia in 2014.
Zelensky has consistently maintained that any discussions regarding the status of Crimea must center around the Ukrainian populace’s right to determine their own national boundaries. He restated this position clearly, reaffirming that only Ukrainians can decide on the fate of their territories.
While a public version of the US’s peace proposal remains undisclosed, reports suggest it includes prospective recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea as well as other occupied areas of Ukraine. This proposal stands in stark contrast to the stance of European allies and the Ukrainian government, which seek to address territorial disputes only after a ceasefire is established.
The backdrop to these discussions has been marred by escalating violence, including a deadly car bombing in Moscow that reportedly killed a senior Russian general. The Kremlin has attributed this attack to Ukraine, a claim that Kyiv has not formally addressed. Concurrently, reports of Ukrainian strikes in the Russian region of Belgorod, resulting in civilian casualties, further complicate the atmosphere surrounding the negotiations.
Source
www.bbc.com