Anadolu Agency reported that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged Washington and European governments to press Ukraine to accept a humanitarian mission in Kostiantynivka, amid Kyiv's concern over troop movements.
Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the proposal with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during a meeting Thursday.
Ukrainian presidential communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn warned the mission could be used as cover for troop rotations and equipment movements, Ukrinform reported. Peskov rejected the concern, saying it assumed Russia controlled Kostiantynivka, a claim Ukraine has denied. He said troop movements would be detectable by satellites, drones and other surveillance assets.
Peskov said the proposal builds on the experience of a similar mission in Oleshky, where Russia and Ukraine observed a six-day ceasefire beginning Oct. 27. First lady Melania Trump said that effort brought aid to the area and helped nearly 800 people leave.
Peskov said he hoped the Kostiantynivka proposal would move forward.
