Story perspectives

Russian Aide Dismisses Kyiv Drone Strike, Schedules Kushner, Witkoff Visit

6/19/2026

Summary

Ushakov Denies Contacts

Aide Yury Ushakov said Kyiv’s drone strike on a bus in Bryansk does not bring presidents closer.
He said there have been no contacts between the Kremlin and President Donald Trump’s administration since G7 summit and alleged Europeans tried to influence Trump, insisting war continue and falsely claiming Ukraine is winning.
He announced U.S. negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will visit Russia soon with dates unset over Iranian affairs.

Summary

Trump Urges Peace

U.S. President Donald Trump said on June 18 that Russia should make peace with Ukraine after a “good” meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 16, prompting G-7 leaders to express cautious optimism that a peace deal could be achieved.
Zelensky and allies claimed drone incursions improved Ukraine’s position, which Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov dismissed as false.
Ushakov said a visit from Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, date not set.

Summary

Trump Considers Sanctions

G7 leaders said after the France summit they will grant Ukraine licences to produce interceptor missiles on its soil.
President Donald Trump said he is weighing reinstating sanctions on Russian oil and called his talks with President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy good.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said no contacts between Russia and the United States occurred after the summit and that the exemption responded to Iran-driven price spikes.

Summary

Ushakov Denies Meeting

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Russia has not received any formal proposal for a Putin-Zelensky meeting on the G7 sidelines.
Moscow and Washington expressed a desire to ease tensions while remaining divided over Ukraine’s future, European security, sanctions policy, and peace-settlement conditions.
Observers said they will closely watch for any sign of renewed Russia-U.S. dialogue after the Kremlin asserted no contacts have occurred since the leaders left France.

History

Historical Context

After the Soviet Union collapsed, Ukraine inherited roughly 1,700 nuclear warheads—about one-third of the former Soviet arsenal. In December 1994, Kyiv signed the Budapest Memorandum, agreeing to transfer roughly 1,200 warheads to Russia in exchange for security assurances from Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom, with U.S. Nunn-Lugar aid exceeding $300 million. The 1994 guarantees now frame current G7 discussions on Ukraine’s security.

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Ushakov Denies Contacts

Aide Yury Ushakov said Kyiv’s drone strike on a bus in Bryansk does not bring presidents closer.
He said there have been no contacts between the Kremlin and President Donald Trump’s administration since G7 summit and alleged Europeans tried to influence Trump, insisting war continue and falsely claiming Ukraine is winning.
He announced U.S. negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will visit Russia soon with dates unset over Iranian affairs.

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