Discussions centered on the possibility of peace talks, while calls for stronger international pressure on Russia grow louder.
**Putin and US Envoy Discuss Peace Amid Rising Tensions in Ukraine**
**Putin and US Envoy Discuss Peace Amid Rising Tensions in Ukraine**
A three-hour meeting in Moscow signals potential for renewed dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, despite lingering discrepancies.
In a noteworthy diplomatic move, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a "constructive" dialogue in Moscow on Friday, lasting three hours. This meeting, highlighted by Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov, specifically focused on the potential for Russia and Ukraine to resume direct negotiations. As the meeting took place, President Donald Trump indicated that progress was being made and that both sides might reach an agreement soon.
While details of the discussion remain under wraps, it is clear that the conversation evolved beyond Ukraine to encompass various other global issues. Ushakov described the talks as "very useful" in bridging the divide between the U.S. and Russia on key topics.
Earlier this week marked a significant moment when Putin expressed openness to talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a departure from his earlier stance during the conflict. However, no representatives from Ukraine were included in the Moscow discussions. Zelensky, meanwhile, urged allies to intensify pressure on Russia and lamented the failure to secure a 30-day ceasefire, as proposed by the U.S. on March 11.
"We must increase pressure on Russia," Zelensky stated, criticizing their refusal to agree to proposed truces and warning against the ramifications of inadequate pressure on nations supplying Russia with military support. In a social media statement, he condemned Russia's importation of weapon technologies and their use in attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
Trump, addressing the ongoing conflict, expressed concern over the rising death toll due to the war and reassured that he was advocating for a resolution on both sides. Yet, he has also laid blame on Ukraine for provoking the war through discussions of NATO membership. His stance has led to increased scrutiny on Ukraine's refusal to concede territories, particularly Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
As pressure mounts from Trump on Kyiv to accept territorial losses as part of a peace settlement, Zelensky maintains that only the Ukrainian populace has the right to determine territorial sovereignty over their lands. Reports imply that U.S. proposals suggest Russia maintains control over substantial territories in Ukraine, including Crimea, which remains a contentious issue.
Amidst the political maneuvering, violence continues to escalate, exemplified by the recent assassination of a senior Russian general in Moscow, purportedly linked to Ukrainian forces—a claim Kyiv has yet to address. The complexities and dynamics of these interactions underscore the uncertain landscape of diplomatic efforts towards peace in the region.
