Putin aide confirms ‘difficult issues’ in Trump’s peace plan, reveals how Zelensky scored self-goal

Russia has signalled progress in its dialogue with the United States amid renewed contacts linked to former US President Donald Trump. Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said discussions have helped Washington better understand Moscow’s position, though a Putin–Trump meeting was not directly discussed. Ushakov praised Jared Kushner’s role in the talks, calling the engagement constructive and meaningful. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the current US administration differs significantly from previous ones, with Trump politically strong enough to adjust policy in line with his vision — adjustments that Moscow says largely align with its own. Russia also reiterated long-standing concerns over NATO expansion and stressed it is seeking a long-term settlement to the Ukraine conflict rather than a temporary truce, while warning against what it calls the influence of the US “deep state”.