MOSCOW — Russia’s Kremlin said Wednesday that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are currently tied up with other matters, but that Moscow fully expects talks with them regarding Ukraine to pick back up once their schedules open up.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov offered the remarks in response to a question about whether other envoys might step in for Ukraine discussions while Witkoff and Kushner remain occupied. The two are currently part of the American delegation working on peace negotiations with Iran.
“We understand that contacts will continue,” Peskov stated. “Naturally, they are occupied with other matters right now, but at some point they will become available, and we are counting on further work.”
Peskov also expressed Russia’s appreciation for the envoys’ work on Ukraine, calling their approach “highly constructive” and adding, “They are willing to listen to all sides — that is especially valuable right now.”
These relatively upbeat remarks stand in contrast to statements made earlier this week by senior Russian officials, who accused Washington of failing to honor “understandings” that were reportedly reached between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during a summit held in Alaska last August.
Russian officials have repeatedly invoked what they call the “Spirit of Anchorage” — a term analysts say refers to what Moscow interpreted as a potential arrangement under which Ukrainian forces would pull back from the portions of the Donbas region they still hold, in exchange for Russia halting advances along other parts of the front. Ukraine, however, has consistently and firmly stated it will not surrender any of its territory to Russia without a fight.
