The Kremlin has confirmed a brief, unsuccessful backchannel attempt initiated by the United Kingdom earlier this year, involving Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov and British national security adviser Jonathan Powell.
This one-off overture, reportedly driven by European anxieties over then-new U.S. President Donald Trump’s potential disengagement on the Ukraine conflict, aimed to establish a confidential line of communication with Moscow. However, the exchange swiftly faltered, failing to create a sustained dialogue between London and the Kremlin.
According to reports by the Financial Times, Mr. Powell reached out to Mr. Ushakov in January, shortly after President Trump took office, hoping to open an independent diplomatic channel. This initiative, backed by some European allies, stemmed from concerns that a Trump administration might sideline European interests in crucial discussions regarding Ukraine, leaving the continent’s security landscape vulnerable to unpredictable shifts in U.S. foreign policy.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in a statement confirming the contact, noted, “There really was a discussion, that’s correct. But the exchange didn’t continue.” Mr. Peskov further elaborated on the call’s unproductive nature, stating, “[Powell] was very eager to explain the Europeans’ position but showed little willingness to listen to ours. Naturally, without the possibility of a mutual exchange of views, the conversation didn’t go any further than that.” This suggests a fundamental disconnect in objectives, preventing any substantive progress.
The abortive talks highlight a broader diplomatic scramble among European nations to maintain influence and ensure stability amid evolving U.S. foreign policy postures. While Washington and Moscow resumed direct discussions on Ukraine after President Trump assumed office, an August summit between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska did not yield a breakthrough on a ceasefire. This context underscores the European desire for alternative diplomatic avenues when U.S.-Russia relations remain fluid.
The brief, unavailing contact serves as a testament to the complex and fragmented diplomatic environment surrounding the Ukraine conflict, revealing attempts by international actors to independently navigate geopolitical uncertainties.