**Russia Signals Openness to New U.S. Proposals on Ukraine Conflict**
In a recent interview, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov expressed Moscow's willingness to consider new proposals from the United States aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, Ryabkov emphasized that any suggestions must align with Russia's objectives and reflect the current territorial realities resulting from the war.
The comments, published by the media outlet News.ru, highlight a potential shift in the Kremlin's approach to dialogue with Washington. Ryabkov noted that the U.S. has shown a readiness for "constructive dialogue" and an understanding of Russia's position. He stated, "At this stage, it is more important to what extent Washington is able to influence the decisions of the Kyiv regime and its European sponsors, who still dream of a ‘strategic defeat’ of Russia."
Despite this openness, negotiations between the U.S. and Russia have largely stalled, with recent developments in the region, including the ongoing war in Iran, complicating the situation. The Kremlin has not provided updates on the potential return of U.S. presidential envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who have previously engaged in negotiations with Russia.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a meeting in Manila with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reiterated Washington's commitment to ending the war in Ukraine. However, he cautioned that a swift resolution is unlikely, as the U.S. seeks to identify a middle ground in the negotiations.
Ryabkov reaffirmed Russia's readiness to engage with Rubio's new ideas, stating, "The Russian Federation is ready to listen to any reasonable proposals and ideas that are in line with the goals set by the Russian president and meet the ‘realities on the ground’." He reiterated that after nearly four and a half years of conflict, Russia currently controls approximately one-fifth of Ukraine's internationally recognized territory.
In addition to discussing the Ukraine conflict, Ryabkov also indicated Russia's interest in maintaining dialogue with the U.S. regarding nuclear weapons. The expiration of the New START nuclear treaty in February has left both nations without binding constraints on their strategic arsenals for the first time in over fifty years. Ryabkov mentioned that Russia would continue to adhere to the treaty's missile and warhead limits as long as the U.S. does the same. He stated, "We remain open in the future to find political and diplomatic ways to stabilize this area."
As the situation evolves, the international community will be watching closely to see if these signals from Russia lead to renewed discussions and potential progress in resolving the Ukraine conflict.