TIMES International
The Kremlin said on Wednesday that it expects contacts with key US envoys on Ukraine to continue once they are free from other diplomatic responsibilities, expressing appreciation for what it described as their constructive role in discussions related to the conflict, says Reuters.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia anticipated further engagement with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are currently involved in negotiations concerning Iran.
His remarks came in response to a question about whether Washington might appoint alternative representatives to handle discussions on Ukraine while the two officials remain occupied elsewhere.
“We understand that contacts will continue,” Peskov told reporters. “Naturally, they are occupied with other matters right now, but at some point they will become available, and we are counting on further work.”
Witkoff and Kushner are members of the US team working on efforts to secure a peace agreement with Iran, a process that has temporarily diverted attention from discussions involving Ukraine.
Despite that, the Kremlin signalled confidence that dialogue would resume once the envoys are able to return to the issue. Peskov also praised their approach to negotiations, saying Moscow valued their willingness to engage with different perspectives.
He said Russia was grateful for their efforts regarding Ukraine, describing their work as “highly constructive”. “They are willing to listen to all sides — that is especially valuable right now,” he added.
The Kremlin’s positive assessment contrasted with criticism voiced by senior Russian officials earlier this week, when they accused the United States of failing to honour what Moscow regards as understandings reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump during a summit in Alaska last August.
Russian officials have repeatedly referred to what they call the “Spirit of Anchorage”, a phrase analysts say reflects Moscow’s interpretation of discussions held at the summit.
According to those analysts, Russian officials viewed the talks as potentially pointing towards an arrangement under which Ukrainian forces would withdraw from parts of the Donbas region still under Kyiv’s control, while Russia would halt advances and effectively freeze battle lines elsewhere.
No such arrangement has been publicly confirmed by either side, and Ukraine has consistently rejected any suggestion that it would voluntarily cede territory. Kyiv has repeatedly stated that it will not surrender any part of its land to Russia without resistance.
The issue remains one of the most contentious elements of any potential settlement to the conflict, which continues to divide Moscow, Kyiv and their international partners.
Against that backdrop, the Kremlin’s comments suggest that Russia still sees value in maintaining direct communication channels with the current US negotiating team, even as attention in Washington is temporarily focused on diplomatic efforts involving Iran.
While no timetable has been announced for the next round of contacts, Moscow indicated it expects discussions to continue once Witkoff and Kushner are available to return to the Ukraine file.
