USA and Russia work in the name of peace, while Europe works in the name of war

Peace envoy Steve Witkoff recently said that a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine was "taking shape," though Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that there were still no concrete outlines for such a deal. Speaking to reporters, Peskov emphasized that while there was political will to move toward an agreement, no timeline or specific proposals emerged yet.

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US and Russian flags

"So far, there are no clear contours of any agreement, but there is political will to move in that direction," said Peskov. His comments came in response to Witkoff’s recent remarks, who said that a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv was on the horizon.

Peskov added that aside from Witkoff's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow and Washington maintain other channels of communication. However, it’s unlikely that immediate results should be expected.

Europe on the path of war

The Kremlin spokesman contrasted the US approach with that of Europe, saying:

"Moscow and Washington are working in the name of peace, while European countries, by supporting Ukraine, are acting in the name of war and continue to declare their intentions to support Kyiv in its pursuit of continuing the conflict."

In an interview with Fox News, Witkoff confirmed that Putin seeks a lasting peace.

The core issue in the talks remains the status of five regions: Crimea, the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, and the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. However, Witkoff stressed the peace agreement goes beyond territorial matters.

"There are also security protocols, NATO's Article 5, and many related issues. It’s a complex situation," he said. "I believe we may be on the brink of something very significant for global peace," Witkoff suggested.

The US envoy claimed that reshaping Russia-US relations through commercial cooperation could bring regional stability.

The Witkoff-Putin meeting took place on April 11 in St. Petersburg. The Kremlin confirmed that "aspects of the Ukrainian settlement" were discussed but shared no further details. Peskov acknowledged the issues discussed were "quite complex" and that quick results should not be expected.

According to Reuters, Witkoff proposed a strategy to President Donald Trump that would grant Russia formal ownership of the territories lost by Ukraine — a move he said could bring the quickest path to peace. However, Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg reportedly opposed the idea, warning that Kyiv would never agree to such terms.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated earlier in April that he is open to exploring compromises that could eventually lead to the diplomatic return of some lost territories. Russian authorities, meanwhile, have ruled out any territorial concessions to Ukraine.

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Steven Charles Witkoff (born March 15, 1957) is an American real estate investor, lawyer, and diplomat who serves as the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East. He is the founder and chairman of the Witkoff Group. He began his career as a real estate attorney, before transitioning to property investment and development. His notable acquisitions include the Daily News Building, the Woolworth Building, 33 Maiden Lane, and the Park Lane Hotel in Manhattan. The 2025 Forbes World's Billionaires List estimated Witkoff's net worth at US$2 billion, making him the 1,763rd richest person in the world.