MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. The United States continues to engage in efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, while maintaining significant influence over both Kiev and European allies; the US and Iran signal readiness to reach a framework agreement to end hostilities; and the European Union has reached consensus on a 21st sanctions package against Russia. These stories topped Monday’s newspaper headlines across Russia.
Izvestia: US still retains leverage over Europe, Ukraine in peace talks
The United States remains willing and eager to participate in efforts to resolve the crisis, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Rodion Miroshnik told Izvestia. According to the diplomat, Washington still retains leverage over both Ukraine and Europe, and these instruments have not yet been fully utilized. On June 14, Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump on his 80th birthday. Among the key topics discussed during the latest conversation between the two leaders were the Ukrainian crisis and a planned memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.
"The United States is demonstrating a willingness and readiness to participate in resolving the crisis. It still possesses certain levers of influence over both Ukraine and Europe. These tools have not yet been fully used. If the United States truly exerts greater effort than it has so far, the situation at the negotiating table could change quite substantially," Miroshnik told Izvestia.
