Putin envoy Dmitriev says US, Ukraine and Russia close to ‘diplomatic solution’ on war

Author: Published: October 25, 2025

Despite the Russian rejection of an immediate ceasefire proposal put forward on Tuesday, Dmitriev said that the solution is ‘reasonably’ close.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin following a meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, August 15.
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin following a meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, August 15.
(photo credit: KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS)
ByREUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, said on Friday he believes his country, the United States, and Ukraine are close to a diplomatic solution to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Speaking to CNN after arriving in Washington for talks with US officials, Dmitriev said that a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Putin had not been canceled, as the US president described it, and that the two leaders will likely meet at a later date.

The planned summit was put on hold on Tuesday, as Russia’s rejection of an immediate ceasefire cast a cloud over attempts at negotiations. Trump said he canceled the planned meeting with Putin in Budapest because of a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts toward ending the war and a sense that the timing was off.

Dmitriev did not offer details of what this would entail in his comments.

A car burns in front of an apartment building damaged during overnight Russian drone and air strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine October 5, 2025. (credit: Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia region/Handout via REUTERS)
A car burns in front of an apartment building damaged during overnight Russian drone and air strikes, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine October 5, 2025. (credit: Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia region/Handout via REUTERS)

European nations are working with Ukraine on a new proposal for a ceasefire in the war along current battle lines, European diplomats told Reuters this week, mainly incorporating ideas already under discussion while pressing to keep the United States in a central role.

“It’s a big move by President Zelenskiy to already acknowledge that it’s about battle lines,” Dmitriev said. “You know, his previous position was that Russia should leave completely – so actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out.”

Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Putin unwilling to concede

Trump had announced last week that he and Putin would meet soon in Hungary to try to bring an end to the war. But Putin has been unwilling to consider concessions. Russia has long demanded that Ukraine agree to cede more territory before any ceasefire.

Dmitriev’s visit to the United States for a long-planned meeting takes place against the backdrop of newly announced US sanctions on two of Russia’s biggest oil companies – a move aimed at pressing Putin to end the war.

Despite the move, Dmitriev said dialog between Russia and the United States will continue.

“It is certainly only possible if Russia’s interests are taken into account and treated with respect,” Dmitriev earlier told Reuters.

Dmitriev declined to say who he was meeting and predicted that the US oil sanctions would backfire.

“They will only lead to gasoline costing more at American gas stations,” Dmitriev said.

The US news outlet Axios reported that Dmitriev would meet Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami on Saturday. The Russian state TASS news agency quoted Dmitriev as saying he would also meet other people who he did not name.

Israel Katz tells JD Vance that over 60% of Hamas tunnels left undestroyed

Author: Published: October 25, 2025

Defense Minister Israel Katz added that demolishing the tunnels is the most important joint mission in demobilizing Gaza in accordance with Trump’s ceasefire plan.

An Israeli soldier secures a tunnel underneath Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, in Northern Gaza Strip, November 22, 2023.
An Israeli soldier secures a tunnel underneath Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, in Northern Gaza Strip, November 22, 2023.
(photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)
ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
More than 60% of Hamas tunnels were left undestroyed during the war, Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed to US Vice President JD Vance during his visit to Israel, according to a Friday N12 report.

The remaining tunnels are located on both sides of the yellow line, the marking that signals the IDF’s partial withdrawal following Israel’s ceasefire deal with Hamas. This means that tunnels still remain in the area where the IDF is currently operating.

Katz said that “demolishing the tunnels is the most important joint mission in demilitarizing Gaza in accordance with the Trump plan.”

The IDF reported six months ago in internal security discussions that the Israeli military had only destroyed about 25% of Hamas’s tunnels in the Gaza Strip, according to N12. 

 

A Palestinian worker takes a break inside a smuggling tunnel between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip on December 31, 2009. (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)
A Palestinian worker takes a break inside a smuggling tunnel between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip on December 31, 2009. (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)

 

gypt

The military also estimated that at the time, there were a significant number of smuggling tunnels crossing from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, causing concern of weapon distribution to Hamas. Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, however, would not prevent smuggling, warned the security officials. 

According to Senior INSS researcher Ofir Winter, part of Hamas’s military buildup before October 7 came from Egypt. Israel now faces the challenge of formulating new and reliable security arrangements for monitoring the Philadelphi corridor, he added.

Israel has made attempts to bolster security cooperation with Egypt. On October 21, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Hassan Rashad, Egypt’s intelligence chief, for talks focused on Gaza and border security.

Erdogan says US, others must press Israel to abide by Gaza ceasefire

Author: Published: October 25, 2025

Turkish leader and Israel critic suggests ostensible Israeli violations should be met with sanctions or the halting of arms sales

By Reuters and ToI Staff24 October 2025, 5:36 pm
This handout photograph taken and released by Turkish Presidency Press Office on October 21, 2025, shows Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a welcoming ceremony in Kuwait City (Handout / Turkish Presidency Press Office / AFP)

This handout photograph taken and released by Turkish Presidency Press Office on October 21, 2025, shows Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a welcoming ceremony in Kuwait City (Handout / Turkish Presidency Press Office / AFP)

ANKARA — Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the United States and others must do more to push Israel to stop what he said were violations of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the possible use of sanctions or halting of arms sales.

NATO member Turkey, one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s campaign in Gaza, has joined the ceasefire negotiations as a mediator after largely indirect involvement. Its increased role followed a meeting last month between Erdogan and US President Donald Trump at the White House.

Israel has been very wary of the involvement of Turkey and its leader Erdogan, who has compared Israel throughout the war to Nazi Germany, repeatedly accused it of genocide and embraced the Hamas terror group as freedom fighters.

“As Turkey, we are doing our utmost for the ceasefire to be secured. The Hamas side is abiding by the ceasefire. In fact, it is openly stating its commitment to this. Israel, meanwhile, is continuing to violate the ceasefire,” Erdogan told reporters on his return flight from a regional Gulf tour.

“The international community, namely the United States, must do more to ensure Israel’s full compliance with the ceasefire and agreement,” he said, according to a transcript of his comments shared by his office on Friday.

Ankara has said that it would join a “task force” to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire, that its armed forces could serve in a military or civilian capacity as needed, and that it would play an active role in the reconstruction of the enclave.

Israel is strongly opposed to close Turkish involvement in Gaza, while Trump has pushed for Ankara’s inclusion.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on a visit to Israel aimed at shoring up the ceasefire, said on Friday that a planned international security force for Gaza would have to be made up of “countries that Israel’s comfortable with,” but declined to comment specifically on Turkey’s involvement.

Erdogan said talks on the issue were still underway.

“Talks are continuing on the task force that will work in Gaza. The modalities of this are not yet clear. As this is a multifaceted issue, there are comprehensive negotiations. We are ready to provide Gaza with any form of support on this issue,” he said.

He also reiterated a previous call for Gulf countries to take action now on financing efforts to rebuild Gaza, saying nobody could single-handedly complete this task.

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