Moscow: The Kremlin expressed its appreciation towards Trkiye for its ongoing assistance in the settlement process of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov communicated this sentiment during a briefing, highlighting Russia's readiness to support continued negotiations facilitated by Trkiye.
According to Anadolu Agency, Peskov's remarks came on the heels of a conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The discussion, which occurred on Monday, addressed the prolonged conflict, alongside other regional and global issues. Erdogan reiterated Trkiye's commitment to aiding a resolution that ensures a fair and lasting peace.
Trkiye's Communications Directorate reported Erdogan's emphasis on Ankara's willingness to support diplomatic initiatives. These efforts aim to enable direct communication between the conflicting parties, potentially leading to a durable peace agreement. Historically, Trkiye has played a significant role in hosting diplomatic engagements between Moscow and Kyiv, including several rounds of peace talks in Istanbul this year that led to prisoner exchanges and draft memoranda exchanges.
In related developments, Peskov addressed discussions about a proposed US plan to advance peace efforts in Ukraine, noting that Russia has not yet received an updated version of the document. He indicated that the plan, partly based on agreements from a summit between Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska, could serve as a solid foundation for negotiations.
Peskov emphasized Russia's interest in achieving its objectives in Ukraine through diplomatic channels and highlighted the importance of European involvement in any security discussions. He also mentioned ongoing media reports about potential contacts between Russian and US officials in Abu Dhabi, but confirmed no developments in this area.
The Financial Times reported that US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll arrived in Abu Dhabi for talks with Ukraine's Defense Intelligence head and a Russian delegation. The discussions, aimed at negotiating a peace deal, commenced on Monday night and were set to continue.
Representatives from the US, Ukraine, and European allies convened in Geneva on Sunday to deliberate on the proposal to end the conflict. US President Trump noted that the US-drafted plan was not his "final offer," as it had raised concerns in Kyiv and among allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the plan, originally featuring 28 points, had been revised during negotiations, reflecting a reduction in points while incorporating key elements. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov mentioned that Moscow anticipates further communication from the US regarding the plan, although no specific arrangements have been made.