Putin and Trump's secret envoy discuss Ukraine ceasefire
The Kremlin's press office reported on Friday that late Thursday evening, Russian leader Vladimir Putin received 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 war in Ukraine.
Reuters quotes Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as expressing "cautious optimism" about the Russian side's prospects for further negotiations on ending the war. Peskov also reported that Witkoff had provided additional information on the U.S. government's stance on the situation in Ukraine.
The Kremlin spokesman emphasized that Russia supports the American position in principle but wants "clarification of certain issues." Peskov did not explain the Russian authorities' doubts, stating only that the Russian leader posed "a few questions to which answers must be jointly provided" 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 front line on land. A joint statement said, "The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace."
