Kremlin says Putin received US envoy Witkoff last night

MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US special envoy Steven Witkoff on Thursday, the Kremlin announced.

Speaking at a Friday press briefing in Moscow, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said both Moscow and Washington acknowledged the necessity of a conversation between Putin and US President Donald Trump.

The timing of their phone call will be determined once Witkoff briefs Trump on the outcome of his visit to Russia, he added.

"The exact timing of the conversation between the two presidents has not yet been agreed upon. However, once Mr. Witkoff presents all the information gathered in Moscow to his head of state, the timing of the conversation will be determined. There is a mutual understanding that such a conversation is necessary," he added.

Peskov characterized the Putin-Witkoff meeting positively, saying the Russian president listened to the envoy and conveyed key information for Trump through him.

The official also said Russia received additional information on Ukraine from the US.

"Late last night, he (Witkoff) was received by President Putin, and additional information was provided to the Russian side. Through Witkoff, Putin conveyed information and additional signals to President Trump," he said.

The official further noted there is reason to be cautiously optimistic about the Ukrainian settlement, as Putin has expressed support for Trump’s position, although he raised some questions that must be addressed together.

"Therefore, yes, indeed, there is still much work to be done, but the president has aligned himself with Mr. Trump’s position," he said.

Peskov also refuted media reports suggesting that the US special representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, was allegedly suspended from negotiations with Russia at the Kremlin's request due to his pro-Ukrainian stance.

"It’s their decision who to appoint and who not to appoint," he said. "It would be absurd to think that the Russian side could interfere in internal American matters."

"We have no intention of interfering. We are simply stating that any relationship should be based on mutual respect. And, based on that mutual respect, of course, we will not meddle in the internal affairs of the United States," he added.

Asked about the possibility of Western companies returning to Russia, Peskov responded: "We will not allow the vacancies left by these companies, who have withdrawn from our market, to harm the interests of Russian businesses, those who have invested their capital and had the courage to make domestic investments during these challenging times."

On the topic of sanctions against Iran, Peskov said Russia considers them illegal: "The Iranian side has never expressed any intention to pursue nuclear weapons. Therefore, in this regard, all sanctions and restrictions are, in our view, illegal. We must continue diplomatic efforts to resolve this issue."