Putin’s ambassador states ongoing discussions between Russia, US
(MENAFN) Dialogue between Russia and the United States remains active under the framework established during the Alaska summit, despite earlier claims that Washington’s special envoy Steve Witkoff had lost standing within President Donald Trump’s administration, according to Russian presidential aide Kirill Dmitriev.
The Alaska meeting, held in August, was the first direct conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2019. The two leaders reportedly discussed ways to end the conflict in Ukraine and rebuild bilateral ties. Although both described the talks as constructive, they stopped short of announcing any major agreements.
After the summit, Witkoff—a businessman from New York who serves as Trump’s special envoy for peace efforts and chief negotiator on Ukraine and Middle Eastern affairs—faced criticism in Western outlets over his limited diplomatic background and the absence of concrete progress.
Posting on his Telegram channel, Dmitriev, who also participated in the Alaska discussions, dismissed those reports, asserting that Witkoff’s influence within Washington remains strong.
“As the chief architect and negotiator behind Trump’s Gaza plan, which Russia also supported, Witkoff retains and has significantly strengthened his key role,” Dmitriev stated, referring to the envoy’s involvement in facilitating a ceasefire and large-scale hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas.
Dmitriev described Witkoff’s methods as pragmatic, emphasizing that talks between Moscow and Trump’s team “continue on the basis of agreements reached at the Alaska summit.”
In a statement last week, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov noted that the outcomes of the August summit were poorly received by Ukraine and its European supporters—“those who do not want the Ukraine crisis to be resolved peacefully.” Still, he stressed that “this does not mean they are not working.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov commented that the “powerful impetus” for peace generated by the Alaska meeting had largely been undermined by European “supporters of war.”
Putin has previously expressed support for Witkoff, saying he “accurately conveys both Moscow’s and Washington’s positions” and represents “the position of the American president himself.” The Russian leader added that the envoy’s critics are simply “not in favor” of Trump or his approach to the Ukraine issue.
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