Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated a willingness to engage in discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, acknowledging that proposals from US President Donald Trump could serve as a foundation for future agreements. During a press conference in Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, following the Collective Security Treaty Organisation summit, Putin stated, “In general, we agree that this can form the basis for future agreements.”
While expressing optimism about potential diplomatic solutions, Putin emphasized that there is currently no finalized peace plan. “But it would be impolite of me to talk about any final versions now. There are none,” he remarked. This statement comes as the Kremlin confirmed that Steve Witkoff, the US presidential envoy, is scheduled to visit Moscow next week for negotiations.
Trump’s peace proposal, which has faced criticism from Ukrainians and Europeans, has reportedly undergone modifications. According to Putin, the original 28-point plan was reorganized into four parts during discussions between Ukraine and the US in Geneva. Both the US and Ukraine have asserted that the plan now contains 19 points. Putin noted, “In general, we see that the American side takes into account our position, which was discussed before Anchorage and after Alaska.”
The Russian leader stressed the necessity for direct dialogue, stating, “We absolutely need to sit down somewhere and seriously discuss some specific things. We need to put everything into diplomatic language.”
Putin also defended Witkoff, following a report from Bloomberg News suggesting that the US envoy had advised Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov on how to approach discussions with Trump regarding the peace plan. He described Witkoff as intelligent and polite, asserting that it would be surprising for him to speak disrespectfully about Russia during negotiations. “Mr. Witkoff is coming, judging by everything, to Moscow under the order of President Trump to carry out negotiations with us,” Putin stated.
Furthermore, Putin commented on the recent US sanctions targeting Russia’s leading oil producers, suggesting that these actions illustrate America’s ongoing pursuit of its own interests. As the international community watches closely, the diplomatic landscape surrounding the Ukraine conflict continues to evolve, highlighting the complexities involved in achieving a resolution.
