President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia met with Steve Witkoff, the U.S. particular envoy, in Moscow late Thursday and now expects to speak to President Trump a few potential cease-fire in Ukraine, the Kremlin mentioned.
Dmitri S. Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesman, instructed reporters on Friday that there was “definitely” motive to really feel “cautious optimism” in regards to the prospects for a settlement to the struggle, after a flurry of diplomacy in latest days. He was echoing equally optimistic remarks made by Michael Waltz, Mr. Trump’s nationwide safety adviser, late Thursday.
The feedback from Mr. Peskov signaled that Russia was keen to maintain negotiating with the USA over Ukraine.
On Thursday, earlier than the assembly with Mr. Witkoff, Mr. Putin confirmed that he was in no hurry to just accept the supply of a 30-day truce made by Ukraine and the USA this week. Mr. Putin told a news conference that he was open to the proposal, however instructed that he would search to barter over a slew of points — equivalent to Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine — that would delay any deal or make it unattainable.
Mr. Peskov mentioned on Friday that Mr. Witkoff had “introduced extra data to the Russian aspect” and that Mr. Putin “handed alongside data and extra indicators for President Trump.”
However Mr. Peskov instructed that the end result of the diplomatic back-and-forth would solely turn out to be clear after Mr. Witkoff had briefed Mr. Trump, and after the Russian and American leaders had spoken by cellphone. Mr. Peskov added that the timing of a Trump-Putin name was but to be decided. The 2 leaders are last known to have spoken on Feb. 12.
