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Aide to the President Yury Ushakov: As you know, the President’s meeting with two representatives of US President Donald Trump – Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner – has just ended.

It was an extremely useful, constructive and substantive conversation, which did not last five minutes but five hours. In other words, we had an opportunity for a detailed discussion of the outlook for our further joint work to achieve a durable peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

We certainly talked with our American colleagues about the essence of the draft documents that the Americans sent to Moscow some time ago. We discussed these documents. We did not discuss the wording or specific American proposals. We discussed the essence of these American documents. We agree with some of them, as the President has told our interlocutors, while other elements elicited some criticism, and the President made no secret of our critical and even negative attitude towards some of the proposals. But what matters most is that we had an extremely useful discussion. I would like to reiterate that the most important thing is that the sides have stated their readiness to continue their joint work towards achieving a durable peaceful settlement in Ukraine.

We specifically discussed territorial issues, without which the crisis cannot be settled, as we see it. Of course, we also talked about the broad prospects for future economic interaction between our countries. Incidentally, a great deal has been said on that issue before as well, during our previous meetings. But this time it has been pointed out that there are vast opportunities for cooperation if we genuinely want this. If we do, it is time to demonstrate a sincere desire for cooperation both in Moscow and in Washington.

Overall, it was a very useful and constructive conversation. Of course, it began with Trump’s representatives conveying greetings and best regards from their President to Vladimir Putin. In turn, our President asked our partners to convey his friendly greetings to Trump. Of course, he not only sent his friendly greetings but also asked them to convey a number of important political signals, which his interlocutors took note of and will naturally report back in Washington.

Question: Overall, what signals did Russia send, and what did it receive from the United States? Is another meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump being planned?

Yury Ushakov: We agreed to continue contacts with the American side at the level of respective representatives, aides, and other officials, particularly with the two individuals who visited the Kremlin today. As for a potential meeting at the presidential level, this will depend on the progress we are able to achieve as we work persistently and diligently through the channels of aides, foreign ministry representatives, and other agencies.

Question: Initially, media reports referenced some 28 points in this Trump plan. Later, it was suggested the number had been reduced and the points altered. To what extent has this list been preserved in principle, and how many points can we speak of at present?

Yury Ushakov: If we are speaking strictly of the points, there was a document comprising 27 points. It was handed to us, and we, naturally, reviewed its contents. However, we did not work on its wording, nor did we hold any discussions on this matter with our American colleagues. Subsequently, we received several further documents – four, to be precise – which were also discussed today during our President’s meeting with Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner.

Question: The territorial issue is presumably the most critical, is it not?

Yury Ushakov: I mentioned it among the issues that were discussed. It is, of course, a matter of utmost importance to us, and to the Americans as well.

Question: In what context was it discussed? Was any compromise reached?

Yury Ushakov: No compromise option has yet been found. However, some of the American proposals appear more or less acceptable. They do, nevertheless, require further discussion. Certain wording we have been offered is not suitable for us. In other words, the work will continue. This is indeed one of the most crucial issues.

Question: You said: we agreed on some points and disagreed on others. Could you perhaps share an example of what you agreed on?

Yury Ushakov: We agreed with our American colleagues not to disclose the substance of the negotiations. This is entirely logical. The discussions were strictly confidential and secret in nature.

To my knowledge, the American colleagues have now departed for their embassy; they will report to Washington and will subsequently travel there to brief President Trump in person on what was discussed with President Putin in the Kremlin.

Question: Won’t they go to Kiev? Didn’t they share this with you?

Yury Ushakov: They did not promise us that they would travel to Kiev; they promised that they would go back home, to Washington, where they belong. Something like that.

Question: We can say that Mr Kushner is a new participant in the negotiations. Was it possible to develop a rapport with him?

Yury Ushakov: Yes, we can say that he is a relatively new participant, but he worked quite productively with Mr Witkoff in the Middle East, as you may know. The achievements in Gaza were the result not only of Mr Witkoff and other US representatives, but also of Jared, of course. He joined the Russian-American and Ukrainian dossier some time ago, and specifically, he has taken an active part, as I understand, in drafting the documents that have been handed over to us.

Question: You said that there was a 27-point plan, and that another four documents were handed over to Moscow. What are these four documents about?

Yury Ushakov: I cannot disclose the details of these documents. I said that all of them concerned the long-term peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Initially, there was one version; later this version was upgraded, leading to four documents instead of one. That is all I can tell you.

Question: Was the Europeans’ position discussed in any way, including their so-called alternative plan?

Yury Ushakov: Our President, as is only natural, has given his assessment of the destructive actions that we see the Europeans perpetrating in the context of the settlement.

Question: Do you think we are closer or more remote following the talks?

Yury Ushakov: Not more remote, that is for certain. But much work will have to be done both in Washington and Moscow. We have agreed on that, and contacts will continue.

Question: Is it clear when the next meeting is possible?

Yury Ushakov: Our colleagues will return home and discuss the issues that were broached today, and then, as I believe, they will contact us over the phone and we will continue the discussion.