Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkow, is expected to arrive in Russia this week, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Peskov informed Russian media outlets on Sunday that Witkow’s visit precedes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s planned trip to India.
Earlier, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov announced that a delegation of US administration officials focused on Ukrainian affairs would accompany Special Envoy Witkow to Moscow. The visit underscores ongoing efforts to garner support for a US-backed peace plan for Ukraine.
Negotiations regarding the plan, involving European and Ukrainian representatives, were held in Geneva last week, resulting in some modifications to the initial proposal. Details of these modifications remain undisclosed.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that Europe has not fully utilized its opportunities to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. He further alleged that Europe withdrew from negotiations and undermined previous agreements concerning the country.
Lavrov, in statements to Russian media, asserted that Moscow believes Europe has abandoned the negotiation process regarding Ukraine and squandered its potential role in achieving a peaceful resolution. The specific details of the US peace plan and the extent of Russian support remain unclear. DZWatch will continue to monitor this developing situation and provide updates as they become available.
The visit comes at a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict and signifies a renewed effort to find a diplomatic solution. The success of Witkow’s mission will likely depend on the willingness of all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and compromise.
