US holds secret talks with Russia - FT
US President's aide Rodney Mims Cook Jr. held secret negotiations with representatives of the Russian leadership, including Putin's aide Anton Kobyakov, as part of a White House diplomatic initiative. The main topic was ways to end Russia's war against Ukraine. The talks take place amid a lack of agreement between the parties.
US President Donald Trump's aide Rodney Mims Cook Jr. held closed-door meetings with representatives of the Russian leadership as part of a diplomatic initiative organized on behalf of the White House. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing sources. In June, Cook Jr. attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where he met with Anton Kobyakov, a senior aide to Vladimir Putin, as well as other Russian officials. The main topic of the talks was possible ways to end Russia's war against Ukraine. At the forum, Cook conveyed Trump's greetings to Putin, emphasizing the friendly nature of relations between the leaders. Cook Jr. himself declined to comment on the content of the talks. The closed contacts take place amid a lack of agreement between the parties on the terms of ending the war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made it clear that Moscow does not consider a complete cessation of hostilities. Direct dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow has reached a deadlock.