Kremlin's Position on Peace Negotiations with Ukraine

The Kremlin spokesperson stated on Thursday, February 25, that Ukraine will participate in negotiations to end the war, but the United States and Russia will also have a separate part in these negotiations. According to Reuters, Dmitry Peskov, in an interview with Russian state television, said that the peace talks will include a bilateral Russian-American path. Dmitry Peskov added that planning for a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will take several months. He said he does not yet know whether the meeting will take place in Riyadh or elsewhere, but given Mr. Trump's reference to the Saudi capital and Putin's very good relations with Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of that country, the likelihood is high. According to Reuters, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin expressed their willingness to meet face-to-face during a phone call on Wednesday, February 24. The U.S. President stated that Putin even used the very powerful slogan of his election campaign, 'common sense,' during the conversation, emphasizing that both leaders 'deeply' believe in it. He also mentioned that he and Putin agreed that relevant groups in both countries would 'immediately' start negotiations. Peskov told reporters that the Kremlin is impressed by Mr. Trump's position on ending the war. He stated that both sides have the 'political will' to find a solution. On the other hand, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told U.S. allies that Washington does not support Ukraine's membership in NATO. Meanwhile, Kaya Kalas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, stated that any agreement without Ukraine and the EU will fail. Trump stated that there is a 'good possibility' of ending the Russia-Ukraine war and noted that Zelensky, like Putin, is seeking peace. The U.S. Secretary of Defense is heading to Europe to participate in NATO and Ukraine meetings.