Moscow: The Kremlin announced on Monday that it does not dismiss the possibility of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is slated to visit Russia this week. "We do not rule out the possibility of holding such a meeting," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed reporters during a press briefing, highlighting the significance of engaging with Witkoff.
According to Anadolu Agency, US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that Witkoff might travel to Russia on "Wednesday or Thursday." The visit would occur just before the expiration of a 10-day deadline set by Trump for Russia to finalize a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine by August 8. Previously, Trump had given Russia a 50-day period to reach an agreement or face import duties of up to 100% on Russia and its trade partners. Trump shortened this deadline to 10 days due to his "disappointment" with Putin.
Peskov acknowledged the US's ongoing mediation efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing their importance amidst direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. He reiterated Russia's commitment to resolving the conflict through "political and diplomatic means" and mentioned the potential for a future meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, contingent on further expert-level discussions.
Addressing nuclear concerns, Peskov responded to Trump's recent statement about deploying US nuclear submarines, stating that Russia remains "very careful" with nuclear topics and maintains a "responsible position" on non-proliferation. He assured that Russia does not perceive any current escalations but acknowledged the complexity and sensitivity of the issues being discussed.
Peskov also commented on differing opinions within national leaderships regarding current events, affirming that Putin's stance ultimately shapes Moscow's foreign policy. He referenced recent remarks by Dmitry Medvedev, who criticized ultimatums directed at Moscow as steps towards conflict. In response, Trump cautioned Medvedev to "watch his words," leading to further exchanges between the two.
Trump's subsequent decision to position nuclear submarines in strategic areas was described as a precaution against potentially "foolish and inflammatory statements." He emphasized the significance of words and their potential unintended consequences, expressing hope that the situation would not escalate further.