Trump-Putin meeting off? Kremlin talks reveal answer
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin (Photo: Getty Images)
The American delegation once again held talks in Moscow, attempting to advance discussions on possible ways to end the war; however, the meeting did not result in any concrete agreements, according to Russian media reports.
Visit of American representatives to Moscow
US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on December 2 for talks with Vladimir Putin.
Before the trip, they met in Florida with the Ukrainian delegation and Senator Marco Rubio, where, according to media reports, the territorial aspect of a possible settlement of the war was a key issue.
The talks in the Kremlin lasted about five hours. This is Witkoff’s sixth visit to Russia this year. At Vnukovo, he was met by Russian presidential special envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
Previous contacts and context
Witkoff’s previous visit took place on August 6, when Trump warned of consequences if Moscow did not end the war by August 8.
After that visit, Trump and Putin held a meeting in Alaska, which raised expectations for further diplomatic steps.
Results of the current talks
According to Russian representatives, the discussions covered several possible plans regarding Ukraine. It was noted that the sides examined key issues in detail, but no single solution was reached.
The Kremlin emphasized that a meeting between Trump and Putin is not currently being considered, indicating a lack of progress in the negotiations.
According to Ushakov, Putin conveyed a friendly greeting to Trump along with several political signals, but did not specify their content.
“We agreed that at the level of representatives, assistants, and other officials, we will continue contacts with the Americans, including with the people who were in the Kremlin. As for a possible meeting at the presidential level, that will depend on the progress we manage to achieve along the path we will diligently and persistently work on at the level of assistants, representatives, etc.,” Ushakov stated.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated at a press conference that not every statement by Vladimir Putin or his entourage deserves a reaction, commenting on Dmitry Peskov’s claims about Russia’s intention to achieve its military objectives through so-called peace negotiations.
The Kremlin indicates that the terms of the American version of the peace plan are perceived significantly more favorably than the European proposals.
