Moscow’s top officials reiterated Thursday the necessity of unbroken lines of communication with Washington on the Ukraine front, amid reports of possible envoy visits. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin’s voice, commented positively on Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s rumored trips, affirming Russia’s expectation for them post-date confirmation.
In sync with Donald Trump’s view, Peskov lambasted Zelenskyy for derailing peace momentum. He portrayed Ukraine’s plight as a downward spiral, with decision-making freedom increasingly constrained. Trump’s terse response to media – simply ‘Zelenskyy’ – captured the perceived culprit behind stalled U.S.-facilitated discussions, contrasting Putin’s apparent deal-readiness.
Peskov also flagged a lack of U.S. reply to Russia’s one-year extension proposal for New START treaty limits. This 2010 bilateral pact, renewed until February 2026, uniquely governs deployed nukes and delivery vehicles in the post-Cold War era. Putin’s prior conditional pledge to uphold it underscores Moscow’s interest in stability.
The statements arrive at a pivotal juncture, with Trump’s inauguration on horizon promising a policy recalibration. The Kremlin’s emphasis on dialogue hints at leveraging U.S. skepticism toward endless aid for Kyiv. Yet, as New START’s clock ticks, unaddressed nuclear issues risk broader destabilization, compelling world leaders to weigh diplomacy against confrontation.