Russia says US 'our main counterpart' in peace talks, sidelining Ukraine

Russia said Thursday that the United States will be its “main counterpart” in forthcoming peace talks to end its invasion of Ukraine, sidelining Kyiv in the negotiations.

“We, of course, understand that our main counterpart in this process is Washington,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Russian state media. “One way or another, of course, Ukraine will participate in the negotiations.”

“Of course, there will be a bilateral Russian-American track of this dialogue, and a track that, of course, will be connected with Ukraine’s involvement,” Peskov added.

His remarks come just after President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin held a phone call on Wednesday intended to kickstart negotiations under Trump’s administration to end the nearly three-year war.

Trump said that it was a “lengthy and highly productive” call with Putin, where they discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, energy, artificial intelligence and more. He said both sides agreed to save lives, stop the fighting and “work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s nations.”

Speaking with reporters after the call, Trump notably would not say whether he considers Ukraine to be an “equal member” of efforts to end the war.

“It’s an interesting question,” he said, adding, “I think they have to make peace.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was “not pleasant” that Trump first called Putin before speaking with him. Trump called Zelensky later in the day.

“As an independent country, we simply cannot accept any agreements without us,” Zelensky said. “And I articulate this very clearly to our partners. We will not accept any bilateral negotiations on Ukraine without us.”

Still, the Russian spokesperson did not say whether the peace talks would include Ukrainian officials.

“So far no decisions have been made, neither at the working level, nor at the highest level,” Peskov said. “Of course, it will take time to prepare such a meeting. It could be weeks. It could be a month, it could be several months.”