Classified as “secret” in the Kremlin: what happened at the talks that Peskov forbids to talk about
3 December 17:59
The five-hour talks in the Kremlin ended in a complete information vacuum. The Russian side immediately made it clear that the details of the discussion would remain classified as “secret.” Experts see this secrecy not as a sign of diplomatic delicacy, but as an attempt to cover up the failure. Why is Moscow so insistent on concealing the details of Putin’s meeting with the American delegation? Why did Steve Witkoff refuse to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his visit to Russia? What were the “critical moments” that made the Kremlin ask for silence – and what really happened behind closed doors?
The Kremlin continues to avoid disclosing the details of the five-hour talks between Vladimir Putin and the American delegation led by Steve Vitkoff and Jared Kushner. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was blunt:
“The Kremlin hopes that the United States, as well as Russia, will not disseminate details about the negotiations on Ukraine.” – Dmitry Peskov
Witkoff has nothing to pass on to Zelensky
The reason is not diplomatic ethics, but the failure of the negotiations. This is how military expert and former SBU officer Ivan Stupak explains the classification of the talks in Moscow in a commentary to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Witkoff’s reluctance to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his visit to Moscow is indicative. In his opinion, this is a signal that the American delegation did not receive any acceptable proposals from the Kremlin:
“Zelensky, first of all, has nothing to say to Witkoff. There is simply nothing to say. They most likely did not come to anything with the Russians,” Stupak said.
Stupak emphasizes that Russia’s position remains unchanged and unacceptable to Ukraine.
“The Russians are adamant that Ukraine must give up its territories, must limit its army – all that we know,” said Stupak.
According to the expert, Vitkoff may choose the tactic of avoiding communication with Zelensky for a reason.
“Most likely, Vitkoff chose a strategy to return to the United States, convey these demands to Trump, and have Trump put pressure on Ukraine with his own hand so that Ukraine agrees to everything the Russian Federation wants,” Stupak said.
What is behind the Kremlin’s silence?
The peace process in its current format is effectively blocked – and not because of Ukraine’s position. Stupak suggests that the main message that Vitkoff plans to convey to Trump is unambiguous.
“Between the lines is the following: Russia’s demands must be met, because otherwise the war will not end. And this is what I want to convey to Trump personally,” the expert recounts the possible logic of the American negotiator.
According to Stupak, the Kremlin’s secrecy, the absence of a meeting with Zelenskyy, and Moscow’s harsh ultimatum demands indicate one thing: there is no real peace process, only an attempt by Russia to impose surrender conditions on Ukraine, now through American intermediaries.
Russian channels leak details of secret negotiations
Despite the Kremlin’s attempts to disguise the situation around Putin’s contacts with American representative Vikoff, Russian sources themselves reveal what Moscow would like to keep under wraps. The Kremlin Snuffbox telegram channel directly states the pressure from Kremlin structures:
“Influential people from the Kremlin asked us not to write about Putin’s talks with Vikoff at all.” – Telegram channel “Kremlin Snuffbox”
He adds that despite the ban, they did publish the information. According to the channel, Putin tried to involve Trump in his “peace plan” for Ukraine and invited the US president to Moscow. The American response was immediate.
“Vikoff, without discussing it with Trump, considered this visit unacceptable.” – Telegram channel “Kremlin Snuffbox”
Another important part of the post concerns economic pressure on Russia. The channel reports:
“Dmitriev received a new task – to achieve the lifting of some sanctions and the return of frozen assets.” – Kremlin sources
So, the five-hour meeting in the Kremlin, which Moscow prefers to hide behind a thick veil of silence, was not a breakthrough, but a signal of deadlock. The avoidance of details, the absence of joint statements, and even Witkoff’s unwillingness to speak to Zelenskyy all look more like symptoms of failure than subtle diplomacy. The Kremlin does not seem to have offered anything that could form the basis for a real negotiation process.
