Moscow: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday described the recent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow as 'a small step toward peace.' Speaking at a press briefing, Peskov said Moscow 'truly values' the US negotiators' peacemaking efforts.
According to Anadolu Agency, Peskov stated, 'Certainly, any attempts are more or less effective; it's one small step toward peace.' He emphasized that Putin personally expressed his high appreciation for US President Donald Trump's efforts and thanked him for his commitment to a peaceful resolution. Peskov noted that Russia 'does not rule out' the possibility of resuming trilateral negotiations on Ukraine, though it is too early to discuss timing and location.
He also mentioned the possibility of a phone conversation between Putin and Trump following the US negotiators' trip to Kyiv, but added that the Kremlin does not yet have information about the results of the US envoy's meeting in Kyiv. Witkoff and Kushner met Putin in Moscow on Saturday as part of US efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which has entered its fifth year. They subsequently traveled to Kyiv and met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday, marking their first visit to Ukraine since the war began.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said the talks lasted three hours and 10 minutes and addressed the war in Ukraine as well as potential major Russian-US projects, describing the meeting as 'substantive, constructive and extremely frank.' Moscow and Kyiv last held peace negotiations under US mediation earlier this year - three rounds in January and February - but were paused due to the war with Iran.
In another development, Peskov spoke about Armenia, stating that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will 'soon' visit Moscow at Putin's invitation. The agreement was reached during their meeting in Bishkek on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. The upcoming talks will address Armenia's choice between EU and Eurasian integration, and the leaders will discuss the main issue from 'all angles.'
Meanwhile, regarding Norway's military buildup, Peskov stated that it cannot be perceived by Moscow as anything other than a threat, necessitating additional security measures. Russian Ambassador to Norway Nikolai Korchunov noted that Norway had deployed an artillery battalion near the Russian border and plans to receive more military systems by 2030.