The Kremlin has announced that there are no plans for an imminent visit by U.S. special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow. This statement, made by presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, follows earlier discussions regarding the potential for American envoys to travel to both Kyiv and Moscow as part of diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing conflict.
Russian officials have indicated a shift in their approach, expressing a decreased interest in sporadic visits from U.S. special envoys. Instead, they advocate for a more structured diplomatic framework to facilitate discussions on peace. The Kremlin has proposed the establishment of working groups and regular meetings, moving away from one-off visits by U.S. representatives.
Additionally, Russia is anticipating the appointment of a new U.S. ambassador, which they believe could enhance the stability of dialogue between the two nations. This expectation aligns with Moscow’s broader strategy to foster a more consistent communication channel.
In related remarks, Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted that European Union countries cannot act as neutral mediators in the negotiations due to their military support for Ukraine. He emphasized that these nations should focus on finding ways to cease hostilities and facilitate agreements between the conflicting parties.
The Kremlin has ruled out upcoming visits by U.S. special representatives, advocating instead for a permanent diplomatic mechanism to address the conflict. Russia also seeks a new U.S. ambassador to improve dialogue, while Putin rejects the EU's role as neutral mediators due to their support for Ukraine.