Officials in Moscow are currently unable to confirm whether U.S. special envoys will visit Russia in the near future. This statement was made by Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Kremlin leader, as reported by RBK-Ukraine citing News.ru.
Ushakov noted that Moscow continues to maintain communication with Washington, specifically mentioning contacts with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Vitkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the American president. He remarked, “This has been stated repeatedly, including by myself. The trip is being prepared.”
Contradicting Ushakov’s remarks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asserted earlier today, June 5, that a visit from Vitkoff and Kushner to Moscow is not anticipated.
Additionally, a few days ago, Kirill Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, indicated that Vitkoff and Kushner’s first visit would be to Kyiv, followed by a trip to Moscow. This Kyiv visit was initially announced in early April but has yet to occur.
Amid these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the upcoming visit is primarily important for Vitkoff and Kushner, as they have only traveled to Moscow, which he described as “not very respectful.” Furthermore, Western media reports suggest that Russia is becoming “tired” of Vitkoff’s visits and is seeking to establish a new format for peace negotiations.
The potential visit of U.S. special envoys to Russia remains uncertain, with conflicting statements from Kremlin officials. While preparations are reportedly underway, recent comments suggest a lack of expectation for the visit, highlighting ongoing diplomatic tensions.
Source: RBK-Ukraine