The US president added that Stephen Hubbard, convicted in Russia, "wouldn't be coming out right now" had more sanctions been imposed

European officials are reportedly considering candidates to engage in direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a potential Ukraine peace deal, a move that has gained urgency following U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s recent trip to Russia.

Witkoff reportedly proposed a three-way summit involving President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to advance ceasefire discussions, though the specific details and outcomes of these diplomatic efforts remain unconfirmed.

During the 25th meeting of the commission, established under the Dayton Agreement, the Russian diplomat said that such actions are unacceptable, and warned Western countries against turning the Balkans into an arena for geopolitical confrontation

According to the statement, interest for the Arctic region has been declared, for the first time, primarily in light of Brussels’ geopolitical ambitions