Core of U.S.–Russia talks remains unknown, Ukrainian diplomat says

Ukrainian diplomat Sergiy Korsunsky revealed that the secretive discussions happening between U.S. and Russian officials likely overshadow the publicly known aspects of the talks aimed at ending the war. Korsunsky claimed that what is seen in the public negotiations may be vastly different from what was discussed in private. He believed that the current contacts, initiated by the United States with CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow in August, are meant to assist the Republican party in the upcoming midterm elections by suggesting that U.S. President Donald Trump can end the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Korsunsky suggested that the idea initially arose during a conversation between the CIA director and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin during an off-the-record session. He also mentioned that the United States might have offered to withdraw troops from Europe in exchange for Putin's compromise steps, which could have been a crucial factor in the dialogue.