Kremlin admits US failed to secure concessions from Ukraine, signals need to involve Europe
Photo: Ria News
The Kremlin has said that European countries' position could play a decisive role in negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine. Russian leader's aide Yuri Ushakov attributed this to the United States' failure, in his words, to secure concessions from Kyiv.
Ushakov made the remarks in an interview with Russian propagandist Pavel Zarubin. His comments were reported by Vedomosti.
Moscow is reportedly ready to resume trilateral talks after November 4, but does not consider the planned meeting a full-fledged stage of the negotiation process. Ushakov described a possible meeting as merely "probing" and "technical" in nature.
According to the Kremlin official, after the meeting between the US and Russian presidents in Anchorage in August 2025, he had hoped that the US administration would be able to influence Ukraine's leadership and secure concessions from Kyiv.
"The American administration could dictate something like that," Ushakov said, describing his expectations at the time. However, the Russian leader's aide claims that Washington has so far failed to achieve this.
Ushakov is now emphasising Europe's role, saying that it "fully supports Kyiv." In his view, European countries should be involved in the negotiations, as their position could be particularly important in resolving the war.
"And perhaps Europe's position is of key importance here," the Kremlin official said.
What is known about preparations for talks between Ukraine, the US and Russia?
As previously reported, on October 21, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. The talks lasted about three hours.
During the meeting, the Kremlin leader expressed Moscow's purported readiness to resume trilateral talks involving the US, Ukraine and Russia in the first half of November.
The meeting in Russia took place a day after Witkoff's talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, as well as with the leaders of Norway and Finland in Oslo.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said Ukraine was ready to participate in trilateral talks involving the US and Russia. He said Ukraine wanted the meeting to take place as soon as possible, no later than early November.
Ukraine, the US and Russia are currently preparing to hold trilateral talks at the team level in the first half of November. However, the meeting will take place only if the Russian side is willing to engage in dialogue.
