Kremlin Spokesperson Peskov stated in his evaluation of relations with the US that everything is going very well, but expecting instant results is impossible. The closer ties between the US and Russia continued with high-level contacts at the beginning of the week, backed by a statement from the Kremlin. Dmitriy Peskov, the Kremlin Spokesperson, used the phrase “Everything is going very well” in an interview on Russian state television. Peskov mentioned that contacts with the team of US President Donald Trump were going well, and added that it’s too early to expect instant results due to the level of damage in relations during Joe Biden’s tenure. Putin and Trump “patiently progress on this path.” Following the talks held between Trump’s Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia this week, the Kremlin Spokesperson made remarks, stating that there were differences in views regarding the situation of relations between Moscow and Washington. Peskov noted that contacts on various levels were ongoing, including the Foreign Ministry, intelligence agencies, and through Putin’s special representative for investments, Kirill Dmitriev. “However, of course, expecting instant results is impossible,” stated Peskov, pointing to the damage suffered by bilateral relations during the Biden era. Responding to whether the Putin-Trump meeting was near, Peskov indicated that the two figures “patiently walked together on this path,” highlighting that repairing relations is a serious and challenging task.

PUTIN AND WITKOFF’S 4.5-HOUR MEETING

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s Middle East Special Envoy, on April 11 to address the resolution of the Ukraine issue. According to a statement from the Kremlin Palace, Witkoff was received by Putin in St. Petersburg, where they discussed approaches to resolving the Ukraine issue. The meeting between Putin and Witkoff lasted approximately 4.5 hours. Prior to the meeting with Putin, Witkoff, the Middle East Special Envoy of President Trump who visited Russia, also visited the St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitriy Peskov informed reporters that Witkoff had made his third visit to Russia.