The meeting was also attended by Putin’s aide Yuriy Ushakov and the Russian president’s special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev.
According to the Kremlin press service, the topic of the meeting was “aspects of the Ukrainian settlement.”
Earlier today, Reuters published material that Whitkoff has already conveyed to Donald Trump the Kremlin’s position on a possible ceasefire. According to the agency’s sources, after a meeting in Washington with Kirill Dmitriev, Whitkoff told Trump that the fastest way to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine would be for Russia to recognize the DNR, LNR, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions as its own.
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Military expert and journalist
It’s incredible how much diplomacy happens behind closed doors. Let’s hope these talks actually lead to a real ceasefire and not just more headlines.
Ukraine’s sovereignty must not be up for negotiation! Any deal that recognizes occupied regions as Russian is unacceptable.
Trump’s involvement could shake things up, but he needs to be careful not to legitimize Russia’s land grabs.
Interesting to see Trump’s team involved in backchannel talks. I wonder if this will change the US position on Ukraine.
Putin is playing hardball as always. Will the West stand firm, or will there be compromises?
The demand to recognize four regions as Russian territory is a huge ask. I doubt Ukraine or the EU will ever agree.
I’m concerned that Ukraine’s fate is being discussed without Ukrainian representatives at the table. That’s not how peace should be negotiated.
Four and a half hours is a long meeting! Shows how complicated and sensitive the Ukraine issue really is.
This could be a turning point in the conflict, or just another round of fruitless negotiations. Only time will tell.
Looks like the art of negotiation has reached new heights where the fastest way to peace is basically redrawing the map with a permanent marker. Who knew diplomacy involved so much territorial rearranging? 🤔
It is intriguing to observe how complex and delicate geopolitical negotiations unfold behind closed doors, often involving multiple layers of interests and historical narratives. The pursuit of peace, especially in situations as fraught as the Ukrainian conflict, reveals not only the strategic calculations of those in power but also the profound human desire to end suffering. Yet, true resolution seems to require a level of mutual recognition and understanding that transcends mere territorial claims or political expediency. It makes one reflect on the nature of sovereignty and the ways in which borders, while drawn on maps, intertwine with identity, memory, and the hope for coexistence.
If negotiating peace required juggling flaming swords, I think these guys just forgot to bring the fire extinguisher 😂
This situation feels like a complex chess game where every move has huge consequences 🧐. The idea that the quickest path to peace involves recognizing contested territories is so intense and shows just how tangled the conflict is 🌍. It makes me wonder if true resolution can ever be reached without addressing the deeper historical and political issues. Definitely a tense moment in international diplomacy! 🔥
It’s striking how the complex web of politics often masks deeper human realities beneath the surface. When decisions hinge on recognizing territories or strategic advantages, it reminds me how fragile peace truly is, dependent on the delicate balance of power and acknowledgment. The notion that a ceasefire could hinge on acceptance of contested regions shows how intertwined identity, sovereignty, and conflict are. It makes one wonder if lasting peace is achievable without addressing the moral and human elements beyond mere political agreements. Sometimes it feels like these negotiations are not just about land or power, but about the very essence of trust and mutual recognition, which can never be rushed or forced 🌍🤝🕊️.
This situation feels so tense and complicated, and it’s hard to see any easy solutions. The idea of recognizing those regions to stop the fighting sounds like it could create even more problems in the future. It’s like every move has such deep consequences that are impossible to predict, and I just hope the people affected by all of this can find some peace soon. 😔
This situation feels so complex and tense, and it’s hard to see a clear path to peace right now. The involvement of high-level figures shows how serious the talks are, but the condition of recognizing those regions seems like a huge obstacle to any quick resolution. Hoping for a peaceful solution soon, because so many lives depend on it 🙏🌍