Kremlin says Putin-Trump-Zelensky summit would only formalize existing agreements
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that a meeting of Putin, Trump and Zelensky could only serve to formalize agreements already reached, describing any settlement on Ukraine as highly complex.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that a summit involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could take place only to formalise agreements that have already been reached. He said a settlement over Ukraine is "not a primitive deal" but a "very complicated" process that involves "a huge number of details."
Peskov made the remarks on Aug. 30, after CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow and met Russian intelligence officials, though he did not meet Putin, who was briefed on the discussions. Trump later described the visit as "semi-routine."
Russia has continued to reject or complicate proposals aimed at advancing cease-fire talks. On Aug. 22, Putin said new peace proposals were "exotic" and "unacceptable," adding that Russia would consider talks only on the basis of "the realities that have developed on the ground."