Ukraine will be engaged in peace talks but there’ll be a separate US-Russia strand, says Kremlin

Forelines – On Thursday Russia stated that Ukraine would “of course” be engaged in meetings to end the war, but there would be a separate United States-Russia’s strand to the negotiations.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman further added it could take up to various months to arrange a talk between Russian presidents Vladimir Putin and U.S. president Donald Trump, potentially in the Saudi Arab’s capital Riyadh.

The two leaders addressed on Wednesday and declared their intention to meet face-to-face, shortly following Donald Trump’s defense secretary bluntly said allies that Washington did not support NATO membership for Ukraine and that it was an illusion to believe that Ukraine – a 5th of which is led by Russia – may return to its pre-war boundaries.

Dmitry Peskov said to Russian state TV in an interview: “One way or another, of course, Ukraine will participate in the negotiations.”

He further said: “There will be a bilateral Russian-American track of this dialogue, and a track that will be related to Ukraine’s involvement.”

His statements were unlikely to affirm Kyiv or allay the concerns of European governments that are seeking a place at the table, fearful that Russia and U.S. may otherwise cut a deal that threatens their security.

“Any agreement without us will fail, because you need Europe and Ukraine to also implement the agreement,” stated by Kaja Kallas, European Union foreign policy chief.

“Any quick fix is a dirty deal.”

Dmitry Peskov stated he did not know yet if a Trump-Putin talk would take place in Saudi Arab’s capital Riyadh or another centre, but noticed that Donald Trump had expressed the Saudi Arab’s capital and Vladimir Putin had “very good relations” with Saudi Arab’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

RUSSIA ‘IMPRESSED’ BY TRUMP STANCE

Trump and Putin addressed for more than an hour on Wednesday, the first known direct contact between United States and Russian presidents since Vladimir Putin had a urge with Joe Biden shortly prior to deploying his military into Ukraine in February 2022.

Dmitry Peskov said to reporters previously that the Kremlin was influenced by Donald Trump’s position on halt the war.

Peskov stated there was political will on both the Russian and United States sides to find a settlement.

“There is a political will which was emphasised during yesterday’s conversation to conduct a dialogue in search of a settlement,” Dmitry Peskov stated. “There is agreement that a peaceful negotiated settlement is possible.”

Questioned about European demands to be conveyed in Ukraine peace talks, Dmitry Peskov stated: “As for Europe’s participation, there is no understanding yet of the format of a possible negotiation process, so it is premature to talk about it.”