Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Moscow had not received proposals by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aimed at ending the conflict through diplomatic channels.
Responding to journalists’ questions on Thursday, August 13, Ryabkov answered “No” when asked whether the United States had conveyed the proposals to Russia. Reports had previously been published that Ukraine had submitted its proposals for ending the conflict to the United States.
Moscow signals willingness to host Witkoff and Kushner
Ryabkov also addressed a possible visit to Russia by U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He said Moscow could host the two representatives at short notice once their actual plans became clear.
The Russian deputy foreign minister said the issue of the visit remained on the agenda and that different claims had occasionally appeared in the public sphere. Russian state media had suggested that Witkoff and Kushner could visit Moscow and Kyiv within 7 to 10 days.
Ryabkov defends his view that the United Nations is in crisis
Arguing that the United Nations had been in crisis for a long time, Ryabkov said Russia was monitoring the positions of all candidates nominated for the post of United Nations secretary-general.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi had previously said that the United Nations was gradually losing its importance and becoming ineffective over time. Ryabkov said the crisis at the United Nations had continued for a long time and that the current administration was aware of Russia’s criticisms.
Ryabkov said Moscow was following the candidates’ statements about what they would do if elected secretary-general, adding that assurances, words and promises alone were not enough. The Russian deputy foreign minister argued that the next secretary-general, if they did not want the United Nations to lose its influence, should listen to Russia.
