"At the suggestion of the US side, we have in principle reached an agreement to hold a bilateral summit in the coming days," Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin's foreign policy aide, as saying on 7/8.
Ushakov said Moscow is beginning detailed discussions with Washington about the planned meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
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US President Donald Trump (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters |
US President Donald Trump (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters
The Kremlin aide confirmed the meeting is expected to take place next week, but did not specify the location or time. Regarding US special envoy Steve Witkoff's proposal for a trilateral meeting including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ushakov said Russia "has no comment on this.".
US President Trump also previously said there is a "good chance the meeting will happen soon." The White House confirmed Trump is willing to meet with both Putin and Zelensky.
US special envoy Witkoff traveled to Moscow on 6/8 and held discussions with President Putin for about three hours. The Kremlin described the exchange as "useful and constructive" on the topics of the Ukraine conflict and the potential for improving US-Russia relations.
President Trump also posted on social media that the two sides "made great progress" and that he had briefed some European allies on the talks. "Everyone agrees this war must end, and we will be working toward that goal in the coming days and weeks," he said.
The US-Russia summit is a positive sign that tensions between the two countries have eased somewhat. Relations had previously escalated when President Trump issued an ultimatum that he would impose sanctions if Russia did not reach a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine by 8/8.
Three rounds of direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Turkey had previously failed to make any progress on a ceasefire, despite urging from President Trump.
Ngoc Anh (According to AFP)
