Putin Asserts Ukraine's Role in US-Russia Peace Talks Amid Tensions
In a recent statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Ukraine has not been excluded from peace negotiations involving Moscow and Washington, which are currently ongoing without Kiev's presence. During a phone conversation, former President Donald Trump assured Putin that the US would continue the negotiation process with active participation from both Russia and Ukraine, contradicting claims that Ukraine was sidelined.
Speaking to the press in St. Petersburg, as reported by EFE, Putin's comments emerged following the first meeting between US and Russian delegations held in Saudi Arabia—a neutral venue for discussions impacting Ukraine's future. This scenario has invited criticism from Ukraine, which opposes being left out of negotiations that could determine its fate. Putin, however, characterized Ukraine's objections as secondary, asserting that the primary goal is to foster increased trust between Russia and the United States.
He stated that trust is imperative to resolve pressing issues, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which he described as a 'crisis.' Putin argued that there is no necessity for intermediaries in these bilateral talks, questioning why Ukraine should act as one. 'What is the reason for this hysteria?' he asked, dismissing Ukraine’s concerns amid the ongoing war, which has now been underway for nearly three years.
Predicting that a resolution will be a lengthy process—contrary to Trump's earlier claims of a swift conclusion—he speculated about a timeframe that could stretch to six months. He expressed a desire for a face-to-face meeting with Trump, anticipating that significant preparatory work would be needed beforehand.
Moreover, Putin directed some criticism towards European leaders, blaming them for strained relations between the US and Russia. He claimed they interfered in the electoral process in the US, even resorting to insults against Trump, who he acknowledged was surprisingly restrained in dealing with these allies.
The Kremlin celebrated the recent US-Russia meeting as a crucial step forward for reaching an agreement on Ukraine and normalizing diplomatic relations between the two powers. Dmitri Peskov, the Russian government spokesman, highlighted the political willingness displayed by both nations during the discussions in Saudi Arabia, marking the first high-level engagement between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in three years. The previous meeting took place just before the onset of the war in January 2022, amplifying the significance of the latest talks and the hurdles ahead in reconciling differing interests, particularly regarding Ukraine's role in the negotiations.
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