?? Statement by Aide to the President of Russia Yuri Ushakov on President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with the Special Envoy of the US President Stephen Witkoff (December 3, 2025, Moscow)

?? Yuri Ushakov: The conversation was very useful, constructive, substantive, and lasted five hours. This made it possible to thoroughly discuss prospects for further joint work aimed at achieving a long-term peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.

Naturally, together with our American colleagues, we discussed the contents of the documents that the US had handed over to Moscow some time ago. We did not discuss specific wording or specific American proposals – we discussed the substance behind the proposals contained in these documents.

There were points with which we could agree, and the President confirmed this to his interlocutors; and there were points that drew criticism, and the President likewise did not conceal our critical, even negative, attitude to a number of proposals.

What matters most is that the discussion was very productive. And most importantly, I would stress once again that both Sides expressed readiness to continue joint work to achieve a long-term peaceful settlement in Ukraine.

Specific territorial issues were discussed, since without addressing them, we do not see a way to resolve the crisis. Of course, the enormous prospects for future economic cooperation between Russia and the US were also discussed. By the way, this has been raised repeatedly at earlier meetings. But today it was emphasized that if we genuinely want to cooperate – and the opportunities for this are immense – then real determination must now be shown, both in Moscow and in Washington.

Overall, it was a very useful, positive conversation. And, of course, the meeting began with the Trump representatives conveying greetings and best wishes from their President to Vladimir Putin. In turn, our President asked them to convey his friendly greetings to President Trump. Moreover, he passed on not only friendly greetings, but also a number of important political signals, which will be delivered to Washington.

Answers to media questions:

• It was agreed that at the level of aides and other representatives we will continue contacts with the US Side, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner who visited the Kremlin today. As for a possible meeting at the presidential level, this will depend on the progress we manage to achieve along this path as we work persistently and consistently through the channels of aides, foreign ministries, and other agencies.

• There was a document containing 27 points. It was handed to us, and we studied it. Although we did not work on the specific wording or engage in discussions with our American colleagues on that matter. Then we received several more documents – four documents, to be specific – which were also discussed today at the meeting . All of them concern a long-term peaceful settlement of the crisis in Ukraine. Initially there was one version; then that version was revised, and instead of one document, four appeared.

• A compromise version has not been found yet. However, some of the American ideas look more or less acceptable, but they require discussion. Some of the proposed wording does not suit us.

• We agreed with our US colleagues that we will not disclose the substance of the talks. This is perfectly reasonable. The talks were completely closed and confidential. Considerable work still lies ahead, both in Washington and in Moscow. This was agreed, and contacts will continue.

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