Ukraine, Russia and the United States are “quite close” to finding an agreement to put a stop to the war in Ukraine, according to a top Russian official.
The comments by Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special presidential representative for investment and economic cooperation, come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that freezing the war along the current frontlines is “a good compromise.”
Dmitriev told CNN late Friday that “it’s a big move by President Zelenskyy to already acknowledge that it’s about battle lines.”
“You know, his previous position was that Russia should leave completely. So actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out,” Dmitriev said.
But Ukraine, together with its European allies, also warned on Friday that “borders must not be changed by force.” Russia has asked for Ukraine to concede more territory before it can agree to a ceasefire.
Dmitriev is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff on Saturday in Florida to discuss a solution to the war in Ukraine. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are also expected to meet for a second time to discuss the issue, potentially at a summit in Budapest.
Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán, who would host the Budapest talks, said on Saturday that the meeting “has not been removed from the agenda.”
“The timing is uncertain, but it will happen,” Orbán said.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine continue. Two people were killed and 13 injured in strikes on Kyiv Friday night, Reuters reported.
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