Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov assessed diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis between the United States, Russia and Ukraine in remarks to journalists in Moscow.
Peskov said the contacts held by US special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow and Kyiv constituted, like every effective initiative, a small step toward peace. He said they attached great importance to the American negotiators’ peace efforts.
Peskov said the Russian side had not received information about the outcome of the US representatives’ contacts in Ukraine. He added that the issue could be discussed during a possible phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
Venue and date for trilateral talks remain uncertain
Peskov said they had not ruled out restarting trilateral talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine, but added that it was still too early to discuss where and when the talks would take place.
The Russian spokesperson did not answer a question about how different the US negotiators’ proposals were from those presented at the Anchorage summit. He also made no statement on whether the new proposals contained disputed issues.
Response to Norway’s artillery battalion plan
Peskov also assessed Norway’s plan to deploy an artillery battalion near the Russian border. He argued that the plan was directed against Russia and said it posed a security threat.
Peskov also said that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan would visit Russia in the near future.