Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday proposed organizing a humanitarian mission to evacuate civilians from Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine, pointing to the precedent set by last month's humanitarian operation in Oleshky.
Speaking in Moscow with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, Putin noted that hundreds of civilians remain in the city and called for their evacuation.
Located in the Donetsk region, Kostiantynivka had served as a key Ukrainian military stronghold. Russia claimed to have taken full control of the city in July.
During the Russia-U.S. talks, the issue of European participation was also raised. Witkoff said that European representatives would join the next round of negotiations.
Egor Toropov, an analyst at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, played down Europe's potential role.
"The European countries wouldn't play a significant role in the negotiations, as they are unprepared for Russia's demands. By contrast, the U.S. side has shown that its position and Russia's are converging. The most the European countries can do is help coordinate the specific details of the humanitarian missions," said Toropov.
Dmitry Ezhov, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, stressed the importance of the humanitarian mission.
"The operation aims to save lives. In the context, the humanitarian mission is extremely significant for both sides, and it is a positive outcome of the recent negotiations in Abu Dhabi," said Ezhov.
On Wednesday, a two-day round of trilateral talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine concluded in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. The parties reached agreement on a large-scale prisoner swap, but major differences remain on key issues including ending the conflict, territorial disputes, security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe's future security architecture.
Russia proposes humanitarian mission in eastern Ukraine during talks with US envoys
