US team headed to Moscow for Ukraine talks as Putin visits Kursk.
President Donald Trump has announced that US officials will travel to Russia to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. Following a much-anticipated meeting with US officials in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian leaders agreed to a 30-day truce. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier stated that the “ball is truly in their [Russia’s] court” and that the United States thinks peace talks are the best option to end the conflict.
The U.S. visit coincides with President Vladimir Putin’s tour to Russia’s Kursk region, which Ukraine has controlled since an incursion last year. Putin met with military commanders, who informed him that Russian troops had retaken 86% of the region from Ukraine, according to footage shown on Russian TV.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, stated after the meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday that the US now has the responsibility of persuading Russia to accept the “positive” plan.
The Kremlin has stated that it reviewed the ceasefire agreement and that Trump and Putin may speak over the phone.
Trump claimed to have received “positive messages” on the prospect of a ceasefire while in the Oval Office on Wednesday with Ireland’s Taoiseach, or Prime Minister, Micheál Martin.
“But a positive message means nothing,” he stated. “This is a dire situation.”
Trump made no mention of the officials who were going to Moscow.
Trump claims to have received positive messages on the prospect of a ceasefire.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters that National Security Secretary Mike Waltz had a conversation with his Russian counterpart.
A source familiar with the situation told the BBC earlier this week that Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow for negotiations after the discussions in Jeddah.
The White House revealed the plans on Wednesday.
“We implore the Russians to support this strategy When Leavitt said, “We have never been this close to peace in this war,”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin is reviewing the proposed truce and will release further details “via various channels” in the coming days.
Trump stated in the Oval Office that Russia has many other downsides. He added that a ceasefire would be sensible for Russia without providing any other information.
“On one side, a complicated matter has been resolved. Almost resolved. We’ve also talked about land and related topics,” Trump continued. “We know the areas of land we’re talking about, whether it’s pull back or not pull back.”
Trump claimed he “can do things financially” to put pressure on Russia.
“That would be very bad for Russia,” he stated. “I don’t want to do that because I want peace.”
“A very complex issue has been settled on one side. Nearly fixed. Additionally, we’ve discussed land and similar subjects,” Trump added. “We know the areas of land we’re talking about, whether it’s pull back or not pull back.”
He “can do things financially” to exert pressure on Russia, according to Trump.
“That would be very bad for Russia,” he said, “I don’t want to do that because I want peace.”
Putin in Kursk photo
Ukrainian army unexpectedly invaded the Ukrainian border region in western Russia in August of last year.
Russia has now retaken the majority of the towns and villages that Ukraine claimed to have conquered during its height.
In footage made public by the Kremlin, he was seen strolling with Valery Gerasimov, his military leader.
According to Russian media, Putin gave the military orders to “fully liberate” the area while he was there. He has not yet responded to the ceasefire agreement that Ukraine and the US agreed upon Tuesday.
Oleksandr Syrsky, the leader of Ukraine’s military, also hinted Wednesday that some of his forces were leaving Kursk. “My priority has been and continues to be saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers in the most trying situation,” he wrote in a Telegram post.
