Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, stated in televised comments on Wednesday that the talks were ongoing and that the situation was “serious.”
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As his administration presses for the end of the nearly four-year war, US President Donald Trump has released a 28-point plan, the details of which were leaked last week. He also is sending his top negotiator Steve Witkoff to Moscow.
However, Ukraine and its allies in Europe expressed concern that the US’s proposal supported a number of Russian demands, including that Ukraine cede more territory, reduce its military size, and be barred from joining NATO.
The proposed amendments have since been made, with some of those concerns being reportedly addressed by the new proposal.
Trump added that even though the war, which has seen Russian forces advance in recent weeks, was going to move only “in one direction,” that progress was being made and Moscow was making concessions.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated to reporters on Wednesday that “there can be no question of any concessions or any surrender of our approaches to those key points.”
According to Jim Townsend, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, Trump is likely to use delay tactics to avoid concessions because of his seniority and focus.
“This could just be a real mess,” he said. There is no pressure on the Russians. They believe they will prevail if they persevere enough, Townsend said, noting that Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been the subject of the pressure so far.
Zelenskyy stated on Tuesday that he was willing to advance the US-backed plan to end the conflict and hold discussions with Trump about issues in talks that the Ukrainian leader said should include allies from Europe.
The US president stated at the White House that the resolution of the Ukraine war was “not easy” but that “we’re close to a deal” was coming.
He said, “I expected that to be a simpler [deal], but I believe we are progressing.”
However, Kaja Kallas, the head of the European Union’s foreign policy, claimed on Wednesday that there was “no indication” that Russia was ready for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Kallas argued that Russia’s support for Kyiv and additional sanctions against Moscow were necessary, and he argued that any peace agreement must include concrete concessions.
She said, “Any agreement must concentrate on what Russia should do,” adding that Europe must ensure that Moscow “never attacks again.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz added that while Europe wants the war to end as soon as possible, “an agreement reached by great powers without the support of the Ukrainians and the Europeans won’t be the foundation for a real, sustainable peace.”
Merz told German lawmakers, “Europe is a sovereign actor for its own interests and values,” not a plaything.
Drone attacks continue.
A significant Russian drone attack targeted Zaporizhzhia, a city in southern Ukraine, overnight.
Ivan Fedorov, the head of the regional military administration, claimed that a university dormitory, which was populated with students, had suffered at least 19 injuries and more than 50 residential damage.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian air defenses descended 33 Ukrainian drones over a number of Russian regions and the Black Sea overnight.
Source: Aljazeera
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