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- In two hands: the meeting between Putin and Witkoff made it possible to bring the positions of the Russian Federation and the United States closer
In two hands: the meeting between Putin and Witkoff made it possible to bring the positions of the Russian Federation and the United States closer
The conversation between Vladimir Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff made it possible to bring positions closer not only on Ukraine, but also on other international issues, said Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. Witkoff arrived in Moscow with Trump's messages to Putin and is leaving with messages for the US president from the Russian leader, Dmitry Peskov said. The Russian leader, in particular, got acquainted with Trump's new settlement plan. The Ukrainian side has already rejected the key points of the peace initiative. At the same time, Trump confidently noted that territorial concessions and renunciation of NATO membership are non-negotiable. The European allies of the United States have also begun to persuade Kiev to make territorial concessions.
Putin and Witkoff held talks in the Kremlin
The fourth meeting between Vladimir Putin and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff was the next step in a complex diplomatic game between Moscow and Washington. The talks in the Kremlin, which lasted three hours, took place in an atmosphere that Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov described as constructive and useful.
Ushakov emphasized the symbolism of the date: the dialogue took place on the anniversary of the meeting on the Elbe in 1945, when Soviet and American troops united the fronts. "Today's conversation allowed us to further bring our positions closer not only on Ukraine, but also on other international issues," he said.
The Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 Meeting of Soviet and American troops on the Elbe. Major General Vladimir Vasilyevich Rusakov, commander of the 58th Guards Rifle Division of the Krasnograd Red Banner Order of Suvorov, and Major General Emil Reinhard, commander of the 69th Infantry Division of the 1st American Army, walk along the street of the city of Torgau. April 26, 1945
The meeting was attended by key figures of the Russian foreign policy team on the American track: Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation, and Yuri Ushakov, assistant to the head of state. In parallel with the negotiations, the US Ambassador to Moscow, Lynn Tracy, took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier. This gesture could symbolize Washington's attempt to demonstrate respect for Russia's historical memory, despite the ongoing contradictions.
The central topic of the talks was Trump's new plan to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, the details of which were previously disclosed by the Reuters news agency. The document, presented by Witkoff in Paris on April 17, includes several points: a permanent cease-fire, recognition of Crimea as de jure Russian territory, and the new regions as de facto under Moscow's control.
Kiev is offered to return part of the Kharkiv region, refuse to join NATO and agree to economic cooperation with the United States, including the management of the Zaporizhia NPP by the Americans. In return, the lifting of sanctions against Russia and joint projects in the energy sector and industry are envisaged.
"Things are moving forward," Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's special representative, succinctly commented on the outcome of the talks.
Dmitry Peskov added that Witkoff brought "Trump's messages" to Moscow and took away the response signals from the Russian leader.
However, the Kremlin does not hide its skepticism about Kiev.
"The Kiev regime continues to engage in terrorist activities on the territory of the Russian Federation, showing its essence. Russia must be on its guard," Peskov said, stressing that the negotiations do not negate the need to remain vigilant.
On April 25, Yaroslav Moskalik, Deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, was killed in a car explosion.
Special services officers are working at the site of the car explosion on Nesterov Boulevard. The explosion killed the Deputy Head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Major General Yaroslav Moskalik.
Nevertheless, the president's new meeting with Witkoff is evidence of a consistent constructive dialogue between Russia and the United States, said Dmitry Belik, a member of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee.
— This is a good trend, which means that Moscow and Washington are cooperating and listening to each other, which was impossible under the previous American administration. The next meeting between Witkoff and the head of our state is a signal to the entire world community that Russia and the United States are in close contact and there is no place for anti—Russian sentiment and a subjective approach, which is typical for a number of Western countries, despite Kiev's outright sabotage of the peace process and the "war party" supporting it, he said in an interview with Dmitry Belik, Izvestia.
Trump, commenting on the process, said that "reaching an agreement is very close," but admitted that ending the conflict turned out to be more difficult than he expected. His key points — the recognition of Crimea as Russian, Kiev's guilt in starting the war because of its aspirations to join NATO and the impossibility of Ukrainian membership in the alliance - became the basis for a dialogue with Moscow. At the same time, the American president unexpectedly softened his rhetoric, calling past statements about "ending the war in a day" a figure of speech.
Prospects for a peaceful settlement of the conflict
Despite the progress in the Russian-American dialogue, Kiev's position remains the main stumbling block. Ukraine rejected the key points of Trump's plan, insisting on three conditions: non—recognition of the loss of territories, no restrictions on the army, and freedom to join any international alliances (read: NATO).
"Crimea and other "occupied territories" are Ukraine, and their loss is not recognized," the country's Foreign Ministry said.
Europe, while formally supporting Kiev, also made adjustments to the response proposal: it demands security guarantees similar to Article 5 of NATO, the gradual lifting of sanctions against Russia and their restoration in case of violation of the treaty.
However, the pressure on Ukraine is growing. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko admitted that the country may have to make territorial concessions. "For peace, temporary peace, maybe this can be a solution," he said in an interview with British media. The Daily Telegraph reports that Kiev no longer rules out the "loss of territories" in exchange for security guarantees.
Europe has taken an ambivalent position. On the one hand, European leaders, according to Reuters, are persuading Kiev to compromise. On the other hand, their response plan includes conditions unacceptable to Moscow. In particular, Ukraine should receive financial compensation, including from Russian assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates Ukraine for the damage. In addition, Europe is against any restrictions on the armed forces of Ukraine, although this clause was part of the Istanbul Agreement, which was almost concluded between Russia and Ukraine in 2022.
The EU countries are trying their best to add fuel to the fire, said Natalia Nikonorova, a member of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs.
— What guides European politicians who are so actively insisting on the continuation of hostilities is anyone's guess. Would an adequate person insist on the continuation of an armed conflict anywhere in the world? The answer is obvious," Senator Natalia Nikonorova told Izvestia.
Washington's haste also complicates the situation. Trump, seeking to conclude a deal in the first 100 days of his presidency (the deadline expires on April 29-30), is increasing pressure on Kiev. Politico notes that US military support is critically important for Ukraine, and its termination would be a disaster for it. At the same time, the White House made it clear that the possible withdrawal of the United States from the negotiations is still an urgent issue. "We need to ask about the US withdrawal from the negotiation process in two weeks," Trump said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed Moscow's readiness for the deal, but pointed out the need to "finalize certain elements." Analysts agree that the main problem is the complexity of the negotiation process and the lack of trust between the parties. We see a very difficult dynamic in ending the conflict in Ukraine and a very complex multi-level political and diplomatic process in which Russia and the United States are becoming key and most responsible players, said Fedor Voitolovsky, Director of IMEMO RAS.
— The Europeans have already discredited their capabilities as guarantors of the peace process. Today, the new Trump administration is making a significant U-turn in its approaches to relations with the Russian Federation, including in its interpretation of the conflict in Ukraine. This gives some reason for hope. We see high activity on the American side, Witkoff's arrival, and contacts at all levels. I would like to hope that this will contribute to the political and diplomatic final conclusion, and not to the freezing of the conflict in Ukraine," Fyodor Voitolovsky told Izvestia.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
The frequency of meetings between Putin and Witkoff is justified — the situation is changing rapidly, new introductory statements are emerging, including those concerning the positions of European countries and, of course, the Ukrainian side, adds Andrei Kortunov, an expert at the Valdai Club.
— Some proposals within their discussion, I think, can be considered already agreed, and discussions are continuing on some issues. Especially considering the current context with the European Union. In addition, there are always a lot of technical details in such cases. And it's not realistic to cover all these details in one meeting. Therefore, let's hope that this is another step forward towards coordinating, at least, the Russian and American positions," he told Izvestia.
While Russia and the United States are demonstrating unprecedented willingness to compromise in recent years, Ukraine and Europe remain the weak link. Kiev, devoid of unity within the elites, is balancing between resistance and forced concessions. Europe, torn by contradictions, cannot offer a coherent strategy. In these circumstances, the Russian-American dialogue seems to be the only mechanism capable of stopping the conflict. The question remains whether Washington will have the political will to overcome the resistance of Kiev, Brussels and London in order to turn the upcoming agreement into reality.
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