Putin and Trump envoy discuss cautious ceasefire progress
The Kremlin's press office reported on Friday that late on Thursday evening, Russian leader Vladimir Putin met with Steve Witkoff, a special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump. Putin was said to have conveyed his response to a proposed ceasefire preceding negotiations on ending the conflict in Ukraine.
Reuters quotes Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who expressed "cautious optimism" on the Russian side regarding further negotiations on resolving the conflict. Peskov also reported that Witkoff had provided additional information on the U.S. government's stance on the situation in Ukraine.
The Kremlin spokesman emphasised that in principle, Russia supports the American position on this matter but simultaneously seeks "clarification of certain issues." Peskov did not elaborate on what the Russian authorities' uncertainties pertain to, stating only that the Russian leader posed "some questions that need to be answered together" to the American guest.
So, yes, indeed, there is still a lot to be done, but nevertheless, the president expressed solidarity with Mr. Trump’s position, Peskov stated.
He added that once Witkoff conveys Russia's stance to the U.S. president, the offices of both leaders will arrange a date for a phone conversation between Trump and Putin.
Voice from Moscow: Imitation of peace actions
On Thursday, one of the Russian leader's advisors, Yury Ushakov, called the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S. administration and accepted by Ukrainian authorities "an imitation of peace actions."
On Tuesday, U.S. and Ukrainian delegations agreed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that the proposed ceasefire would cover operations in the airspace, at sea, and along the entire frontline on land. In a joint statement, it was conveyed that "The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace".
