Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held an hour-long phone conversation on Tuesday to discuss recent diplomatic efforts to resume peace negotiations and the outcome of a weekend visit to Moscow and Kyiv by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, September 5, before holding talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday, September 6, as Washington sought to revive stalled efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
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Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov described the Trump-Putin conversation as “constructive and frank”. He said Trump made clear that he wanted the war to end as quickly as possible and that Putin briefed the US president on developments on the battlefield. The Kremlin said both leaders viewed the recent diplomatic contacts positively, with Putin also outlining what he believed Washington could do to help bring the fighting to an end.
TRUMP PUSHES FOR SWIFT END TO WAR
According to Ushakov, Trump stressed that ending the conflict could open the door to a much broader improvement in relations between Washington and Moscow.
“Donald Trump clearly emphasised the desirability of bringing the conflict to an end as soon as possible, which would immediately open up prospects — impressive and far-reaching ones at that — for the full restoration of relations between the US and Russia,” said Ushakov.
“In his view, this would have a particular impact on trade and economic ties, promising enormous benefits for both countries. Donald Trump is keen to see a breakthrough achieved during his presidency. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin supported this approach”.
The Kremlin adviser said the two presidents agreed to remain in contact and speak again by telephone if necessary. Putin and Trump also agreed on the importance of continuing prisoner exchanges.
Ushakov said Putin used the conversation to explain Moscow’s assessment of the battlefield and to discuss possible steps the United States could take to facilitate an end to the conflict. He also sought to push back against concerns in Europe over Russia’s intentions.
“In view of the speculation about Russia’s alleged hostile intentions toward European countries, it was underlined that we don’t have any aggressive plans regarding Europe,” Ushakov told reporters.
ZELENSKYY SEES ‘VERY GOOD’ IDEAS IN US PROPOSALS
The US diplomatic push has also received a cautiously positive response from Kyiv. Zelenskyy said Witkoff and Kushner had presented ideas that could provide a basis for further discussions, while stressing that Ukraine would have to assess the proposals carefully.
“As for the peace package that Kushner spoke about and the new ideas, I’ll tell you frankly, there were indeed a couple of very good, worthwhile ideas,” Zelenskyy said in audio messages answering reporters’ questions.
The Ukrainian President also said he hoped to meet Trump around September 20, when world leaders are expected to gather in New York for the UN General Assembly. Zelenskyy’s priorities for such a meeting would include strengthening Ukraine’s air defences, particularly through additional Patriot systems, as Russian forces continue to rely heavily on drones and ballistic missiles in attacks on Ukrainian targets.
Ukraine has said it needs significant additional air-defence capabilities and interceptor missiles from its partners. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Kyiv required 300 Patriot missiles from partner stocks, 500 air-to-air interceptors and $2 billion to acquire additional drones. The European Commission has also approved a 3.2 billion euro ($3.7 billion) loan for Ukraine to purchase components for Patriot air-defence systems, according to Ukraine’s Defence Ministry.
KYIV PREPARES FOR NEW ROUND OF TALKS
Zelenskyy said negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States could resume in the autumn, suggesting Kyiv remains open to discussions despite the absence of a breakthrough so far. He also indicated that Ukraine could consider compromises on issues including grain exports and energy as part of a wider negotiating process.
The possibility of renewed three-way talks has gained attention after Witkoff and Kushner’s separate meetings with Putin and Zelenskyy. Their weekend diplomacy represented a fresh attempt by Trump’s administration to bridge the gap between Moscow and Kyiv after previous efforts failed to produce a lasting settlement.
For Ukraine, however, any negotiations remain closely tied to security guarantees and the ability to withstand continued Russian attacks. Kyiv has repeatedly sought stronger military support from its partners while exploring diplomatic routes to end the war.
MOSCOW STILL SAYS VICTORY IS WITHIN REACH
Despite the renewed activity, Moscow has not signalled that it intends to abandon its military objectives. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia remained determined to accomplish its goals on the battlefield and claimed that “victory is very close”.
“We’re very confident in our military potential,” Peskov told reporters, while also saying Moscow wanted a peaceful settlement and welcomed Trump’s diplomatic efforts.
Ushakov said Putin had briefed Trump on Russia’s plans to make further gains on the battlefield and achieve its stated military objectives.
Russian and Ukrainian troops remain locked in fighting along the long front line, with neither side having secured a decisive breakthrough capable of ending the conflict.
– Ends
With inputs from agenices
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
