Aide to the Russian president, Yury Ushakov, stated that the leaders of Finland and Norway conveyed a signal to the Russian side regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's readiness to hold direct negotiations. According to him, the Ukrainian leader could arrive in Moscow for this purpose, where security conditions would be guaranteed.
The Mediation Role of Northern Leaders
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a telephone conversation with the Russian leadership to discuss issues related to a potential conflict resolution. The Russian presidential aide emphasized that high-level direct contacts between the heads of the two states are of utmost importance for finding real ways out of the crisis.
Negotiation Stages and Document Preparation
Commenting on the prospects for dialogue, Moscow noted the specific sequence of steps necessary to achieve sustainable peace. According to Ushakov, substantive documents in the context of a long-term settlement in Ukraine will be fully developed only after the completion of the expert-level negotiation process.
Plans for Donbas and Summit Prospects
Only after finalizing the drafts of peace documents could the leaders of Russia and Ukraine hold an in-person meeting to receive a detailed report and approve them. Meanwhile, the Kremlin added that the Russian side intends to continue its efforts to establish control over the entire territory of Donbas.
Significance of Potential Contacts for Settlement
Statements regarding the potential for direct contacts between Moscow and Kyiv mediated by European leaders highlight ongoing diplomatic interest in finding peaceful solutions. However, the implementation of such scenarios will depend on the parties' readiness to agree on the basic parameters of future arrangements.
