Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he will meet U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Thursday to discuss solutions for the ongoing war in Ukraine and potential use of frozen Russian assets for reconstruction efforts.
Putin made the announcement during a Russian Security Council meeting, confirming talks with the U.S. envoys who have been tasked with seeking a resolution to Russia’s nearly four-year conflict with Ukraine.
“This possibility is also under discussion with representatives of the U.S. administration,” Russian news agencies quoted Putin as saying. The discussions will focus on using frozen Russian funds to aid regions affected by the war.
Middle east diplomatic engagements
In addition to the U.S. envoys, Putin is scheduled to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday. The discussions with Abbas will also involve the potential allocation of frozen assets to support Palestinian recovery projects.
Putin emphasized Russia’s readiness to provide $1 billion from these frozen assets if necessary, citing Moscow’s “special relations with the Palestinian people.”
Trump’s board of peace proposal
The Russian leader revealed that Moscow’s Foreign Ministry has been instructed to review former U.S. President Donald Trump’s invitation for Russia to join the proposed Board of Peace.
Putin described the proposal as mainly aimed at contributing to a Middle East peace settlement. While no decision has been made yet, he signaled that Russia is studying the plan carefully before providing a formal response.
The meetings signal a rare diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Washington amid strained relations over Ukraine. If the discussions on frozen assets and the Board of Peace advance, it could have implications for both reconstruction efforts in Ukraine and Russia’s involvement in Middle East diplomacy.
