Russia says it is ready to resume talks with Ukraine and US to end war

Russian top aide Yuri Ushakov has stated that Moscow is prepared in principle to resume talks with Ukraine and the United States with the aim of ending the conflict that began in February 2022. The talks, which had been suspended, could potentially take place next month in Abu Dhabi, according to Ushakov. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies have been urging Moscow to restart the dialogue, but Russia remains opposed as it believes the war is going well for it on the battlefield while Ukraine is facing a severe shortage of interceptors to defend against Russian missile attacks.

Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy, visited St Petersburg after consulting Ukraine's President Zelensky, as well as leaders from Norway and Finland. Ushakov dismissed Witkoff's ideas as "useless." Prior to the recent talks, the Kremlin blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries during the country's general elections for disrupting the ongoing negotiations. Ushakov proposed that the new round of talks should focus on establishing a security system for both Russia and Ukraine post-conflict.

A US official revealed that Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had suggested a trilateral meeting at the technical level between the US, Russia, and Ukraine. The Ukrainians accepted the proposal in Oslo on Tuesday, and the Russians agreed in St Petersburg on Wednesday. Ushakov also mentioned that President Putin told Witkoff that Russian troops were advancing on all fronts of the front line and held a strategic initiative.

However, Ukraine and its European allies dispute Putin's claim, pointing to a virtual stalemate on the ground.

Tensions between Ukraine and the US have escalated, with Trump suggesting Ukraine should have a new president and proposing that someone else negotiate on its behalf. Trump has also attempted to link Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries to the rising fuel prices since the start of the US-led war on Iran. European leaders have expressed concern over the recent statements made by the US towards Russia.