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Kremlin voices ‘cautious optimism’ after Putin meets Trump envoy on Ukraine

14.03.2025 15:00
The Kremlin on Friday said President Vladimir Putin held late-night talks with special US envoy Steve Witkoff, during which Putin delivered Russia’s response to a proposed ceasefire ahead of talks on ending the war in Ukraine.
Audio
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.Photo: EPA/MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia feels “cautious optimism” regarding future negotiations and that Witkoff provided additional details of the US position on Ukraine.

While Moscow agrees “in principle” with Washington’s stance, Peskov said that certain issues must be clarified.

He did not elaborate on the specifics, saying only that Putin posed “several questions” that require a joint response.

"There is still much work ahead, but the president expressed solidarity with President Trump’s position," Peskov said, adding that once Witkoff relays Moscow’s perspective to Trump, both leaders will schedule a phone conversation.

'Very good chance' war 'can finally come to an end': Trump

Trump said in a social media post on Friday: "We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end." 

In an earlier reaction, Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov on Thursday dismissed the 30-day ceasefire—proposed by Washington and accepted by Kyiv—as merely an “imitation of peace efforts.”

Earlier this week, delegations from the United States and Ukraine agreed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that the ceasefire would cover air, maritime and front-line operations.

(jh/gs)

Source: PAP

Click on the audio player above to listen to a report by Michał Owczarek.