Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the ongoing discussions with the United States regarding Ukraine as “complex,” but emphasized the need to cooperate with Washington to facilitate a resolution rather than obstruct progress. Meanwhile, Ukraine has expressed its desire for a “genuine peace, not appeasement” of Russia.
In a recent interview, Putin stated, “This is a complex and difficult task that President Donald Trump has taken upon himself.” He added, “Reaching a consensus between conflicting parties is not an easy task, but President Trump is genuinely trying, in my opinion, to do so. I believe we should cooperate with these efforts instead of hindering them.”
According to RIA Novosti, Putin described his meeting with President Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as highly beneficial. He noted that certain points unacceptable to Moscow were discussed during the meeting. Putin also asserted that European nations should support the settlement efforts in Ukraine instead of impeding them.
Putin reiterated Russia’s determination to reclaim Donbas and Novorossiya by any means necessary. He claimed that Moscow had offered Kyiv a cessation of operations and troop withdrawal, but Ukraine chose to continue fighting.
President Trump characterized his envoys’ meeting with Putin as “very good,” stating that the Russian President desires to end the conflict and resume trade relations with the United States.
Subsequently, the United States announced a temporary suspension of certain sanctions imposed on the Russian oil giant Lukoil. This measure aims to allow fuel stations outside Russia to continue operating. The U.S. Treasury Department affirmed that transactions with these stations are permitted “to avoid penalizing” their customers and suppliers, provided that the revenues are not transferred to Russia.
In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, addressing the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), stated that Ukraine seeks “genuine peace, not appeasement” of Russia.
Furthermore, The Financial Times, citing a senior Ukrainian official, reported that a recent meeting in Florida between the Ukrainian delegation and Witkoff was perceived as an “interrogation by the Americans, not a negotiation session.” The Ukrainian official indicated that upon the delegation’s return…
