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Putin Aide Admits Possibility of US-Russia Talks on Ukraine, Excludes Western Allies

By Vusala Abbasova January 16, 2025

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Patrushev dismissed the roles of London and Brussels, stating there is “nothing to discuss” with them. / Mikhail Metzel / POOL / TASS

Nikolai Patrushev, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has suggested that negotiations over the Ukraine conflict should be conducted directly between the United States and Russia.

In a recent interview with Russian radio station Komsomolskaya Pravda, Patrushev emphasized the exclusion of other Western countries from these discussions, signaling Moscow’s dissatisfaction with broader international involvement.

“If we talk about the specific prospects for the further development of events considering the Trump factor, we respect his statements,” Patrushev said, referring to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. He added, “I believe that negotiations on Ukraine should be held between Russia and the U.S. without the involvement of other Western countries.”

Patrushev dismissed the roles of London and Brussels, stating there is “nothing to discuss” with them. He claimed that the European Union leadership does not represent all member states, citing countries such as Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Romania, which he described as having a “balanced position toward Russia.”

The aide also reiterated Moscow’s stance that Russia shares a “brotherly attitude” toward Ukrainians, despite the Kremlin’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine.

He accused Ukraine of self-inflicted destruction, saying, “It is especially concerning that the violent imposition of neo-Nazi ideology and intense Russophobia are destroying Ukraine’s once-flourishing cities, particularly Kharkiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropetrovsk.”

Patrushev’s remarks come as President-elect Trump continues to voice his desire to resolve the Ukraine conflict swiftly. During his campaign, Trump promised to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, although he has yet to outline a specific plan. Throughout his campaign, Trump has criticized the Biden administration’s extensive financial and military aid to Ukraine, questioning its relevance to U.S. interests.

Trump’s skeptical stance on NATO and the alliance’s role in the conflict may influence any future U.S. approach to peace talks. Analysts suggest that a Trump-led administration might advocate for a ceasefire or settlement that could recognize some of Russia’s territorial claims, including Crimea and territory gained during the ongoing war.

Despite calls for dialogue, Russia’s position on the conflict remains firm. Moscow continues to emphasize its strategic and cultural ties to Ukraine’s Donbas region, which has been at the heart of the hostilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed a willingness to negotiate but insists that Kyiv and its Western allies must demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that this does not indicate Moscow is softening its terms.

Russia currently controls Crimea, annexed in 2014, along with large portions of the Donbas region and other territories seized during the ongoing war.