One of U.S. President Donald Trump’s close associates — Rodney Mims Cook Jr. — recently held secret talks with representatives of the kremlin. RBC-Ukraine reports this, citing the Financial Times.
According to journalists, this involved a “secret diplomatic mission” initiated by the White House itself. Trump’s team is trying to find an approach to russian dictator vladimir putin after its previous peace efforts failed.
Insiders claim that Cook Jr. received “extensive briefings” before taking part in the kremlin chief’s economic forum in St. Petersburg in June.
It is known that Trump’s associate met with Anton Kobyakov — putin’s senior aide — although he probably met with others as well.
The issue of ending the russian-Ukrainian war was at the center of the talks.
Cook Jr. declined to comment on his meetings with russian officials, as well as on whether Trump had asked him to continue these contacts and whether he would return there in the near future.
“There are many requests. We are working on them now”, - he said.
It is also known that during his presentation at the forum, Cook conveyed to putin “sincere congratulations from your friend, President Trump”.
It was also reported that russia is not ready to sign agreements on a ceasefire and a peace deal this year because it plans to seize the Donetsk oblast.