Moscow:Russia has expressed its readiness to initiate discussions with the United States on proposals for a new security architecture in Europe. This announcement was made by Presidential aide Yury Ushakov, following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, Ushakov highlighted that the current European security system is not functioning effectively. He emphasized the importance of European countries supporting efforts to agree on new security parameters that ensure indivisible security and peace. These discussions, he noted, are set to begin immediately alongside US representatives.
Ushakov described the recent talks at the Kremlin as substantive and constructive. During these discussions, the idea of a "humanitarian mission" in Kostiantynivka, a city in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, was supported by Witkoff and Kushner. This proposal was made by President Putin, who claims the area is under Russian control, although Ukrainian authorities have yet to comment.
In addition, Ushakov mentioned Russia's readiness to start demining efforts near Kostiantynivka to facilitate the proposed mission. He also disclosed that the parameters for a prisoner swap between Moscow and Kyiv, discussed during peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi, are nearing finalization.
The presidential aide criticized Europe's actions in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, suggesting they indicate a preference to prolong the war. He further described proposals to deploy foreign troops in Ukraine post-war as likely to perpetuate the conflict indefinitely. Nevertheless, Russia and the US agreed to continue trilateral talks on Ukraine.
Ushakov also announced that President Putin and US President Donald Trump are expected to continue discussing a resolution for Ukraine at the upcoming APEC summit in China. Additionally, Moscow, Washington, and Beijing are working on arranging a meeting between the Russian, American, and Chinese leaders at the same summit, which Ushakov hopes will positively impact the global situation.
The US envoys, Kushner and Witkoff, arrived in Moscow after participating in Russia-Ukraine peace talks in the UAE, which resulted in a new prisoner exchange agreement. Kushner stated that they would finalize details of the prisoner swap and discuss Europe's involvement in future discussions, which Russia has opposed. Following their visit to Moscow, Kushner and Witkoff are set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ireland.