President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has met with Steve Witcof, the US Particular Messenger, in Moscow on the finish of Thursday and now expects to speak to President Trump concerning the eventual finish of fireplace in Ukraine, the Kremlin stated.
Dmitry S. Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, advised reporters on Friday that there’s a “certainty” purpose to really feel “cautious optimism” concerning the prospects for settling struggle after a noise of diplomacy in latest days. He sounded related optimistic remarks made by Michael Waltz, an adviser on the nationwide safety of G -N Trump, on the finish of Thursday.
Peskov’s feedback reported that Russia didn’t wish to proceed negotiating with the US due to Ukraine.
On Thursday, earlier than the assembly with Mr Vitkof, Mr. Putin confirmed that he was in no hurry to just accept the proposal for a 30-day truce made by Ukraine and the US this week. Putin said at a press conference that it was open to the proposalHowever he assumed that he would try to barter many questions – resembling provides of Western weapons to Ukraine – which might decelerate any deal or make it unattainable.
Peskov stated on Friday that G -n Vitcof had “introduced extra data to the Russian facet” and that G -n -Putin “reported data and extra alerts to President Trump”.
However Mr Peskov advised that the results of the diplomatic forward and ahead would solely change into clear after Mr Vitkof knowledgeable Mr. Trump and after Russian and US leaders spoke on the cellphone. Mr. Peskov added that the time of Trump-Putin’s name is but to be decided. The 2 leaders are Last known to have spoken on February 12.
“After Mr. Vitkof transmits all the data he obtained in Moscow to his head of state, we are going to decide the time of the dialog afterwards,” stated G -n Peskov. “On either side, there’s an understanding that such a dialog is critical.”
Mr. Peskov’s feedback have been the most recent indication that Mr Putin at first look was attempting to stability the need to keep away from Mr Trump’s dysfunction together with his efforts to drive the widespread reductions from the West and Ukraine. Whereas Mr Trump says he desires to finish the struggle as shortly as attainable, Mr. Putin appears assured that he has time in his flip and that the unconditional cessation of fireplace will likely be helpful for Ukraine.
There was no quick remark from the Vitcof or the broader Trump administration concerning the assembly with G -N -Putin. G -n Vitcof, who’s formally the President’s envoy to the Center East, additionally took a key function as an interlocutor with Russia -spending three hours of assembly with Putin final month as he finalizes prisoners between Russia and the US.
Ukraine already has agreed to support The US -supported proposal to finish fireplace, however provided that Russia does the identical. On Thursday, President Volodimir Zelenski of Ukraine stated that he had set so many circumstances on the press convention that nothing would occur in any respect or that it could not work so long as attainable. “
However Mr. Wals, the US Nationwide Safety Advisor, later advised Fox Information that the White Home had “some cautious optimism” concerning the prospects for ending fireplace. Vitcof, he stated, “returned issues to judge President Trump to make selections within the subsequent steps.”
Referring to the press convention of G -n -Putin on Thursday, the Valtz stated: “After all, either side can have their requests and, in fact, either side should make some compromises.”
