Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Proposals

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced that Russia is open to new peace proposals to settle the conflict in Ukraine, provided the terms reflect the realities on the ground. This condition refers to Russia's current occupation of approximately one-fifth of Ukraine's internationally recognized territory after nearly four and a half years of war.

Ryabkov noted that the United States has shown a readiness for constructive dialogue, though he questioned whether Washington can influence the Ukrainian government and its European sponsors. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed a commitment to finding a middle ground to end the war, but negotiations have largely stalled due to the ongoing war in Iran.

Beyond the conflict in Ukraine, Ryabkov expressed a desire to maintain diplomatic discussions with the U.S. to stabilize nuclear weapons control following the February expiration of the New START treaty. The Kremlin reported it has no current information regarding future visits to Moscow by U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.