Russia signals flexibility on peace talks as US envoy prepares for Moscow visit

Moscow has confirmed that it will engage with whatever U.S. President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff brings during his upcoming visit, which remains scheduled, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Interfax that “all that could and should have been communicated on this topic was done yesterday through the president’s aide and the president’s press secretary. This is not Mr. Witkoff’s first visit to Moscow. Whatever he brings, that is what we will work with.”

He made the remarks in response to questions about whether Russia expects Witkoff to present an updated version of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Ukraine peace plan.

Ryabkov also noted that Moscow still lacks clarity on “the outcome of the discussions in Geneva, and also on the role of destructive forces around the EU, which have tried and continue to try to obstruct further progress.” He reiterated: “So we’ll see. Whatever he brings, that is what we will work with.”

When asked if Witkoff’s visit is still on schedule, Ryabkov replied, “I have no reason to question it.”

Witkoff’s role in the peace efforts gained renewed attention after a report suggested he coached Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov on how President Vladimir Putin should present the Ukraine peace plan to Trump. According to Trump, Witkoff’s reported guidance was “standard” negotiating procedure. “He’s got to sell this to Ukraine. He’s got to sell Ukraine to Russia,” Trump told reporters. “That’s what a deal maker does.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed the significance of the leaked call but acknowledged the challenges facing peace efforts. “It’s clear that there will be a very large number of people in various countries, including the United States, who will try to disrupt these efforts toward peace,” Peskov said from Kyrgyzstan, where Putin travelled this week.

When asked whether a peace agreement is closer than ever, Peskov told reporters, “It’s a little too early to say that.”

By Tamilla Hasanova