Putin Holds Talks with US Envoys on Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin has held more than three hours of talks with United States envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on efforts to end the war in Ukraine, with no indication of a breakthrough.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the talks as “highly useful”, saying “the U.S. envoys presented a number of ideas on possible ways to resolve the conflict.”

Ushakov did not disclose details of the proposals.

He said Putin told the envoys that Russia was making “real progress” on the battlefield and remained confident of achieving its objectives.

According to Ushakov, “Putin also stressed the need to address what Russia considers the “root causes” of the conflict.”

A White House official described the talks as “substantive” and said further steps would be announced in the coming weeks.

Witkoff and Kushner, who were visiting Moscow on behalf of U.S. President Donald Trump, did not comment publicly after the meeting.

They left Moscow shortly after the talks and were due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday.

Ushakov said “the discussions also covered economic issues and potential Russian-American projects.”

“Overall, one can say that the negotiations were timely and highly useful for both sides,” he said.

Putin also praised President Trump’s efforts to end the war, saying “the U.S. President had continued his efforts to help bring about a settlement despite the difficulties involved.”

President Trump said on Friday that the United States had a new proposal to end the war but did not provide details.

The talks took place amid continued fighting between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides having intensified long-range air strikes in recent weeks.

Russia and Ukraine remain divided over the terms of a possible peace agreement.

A person close to the Kremlin said Putin remained committed to capturing additional Ukrainian territory.

“There is no chance of reaching an agreement regarding the front line until Putin finishes securing the remaining part of the Donetsk region,” the person said, adding that the Kremlin leader was confident this could happen by the end of the year.

Western military analysts have described that prospect as unlikely, citing the relatively slow pace of Russian advances.

Ukraine has rejected giving up territory it has defended and has argued that such conditions would amount to surrender.

The Kremlin said the position Putin outlined two years ago — that Ukraine should cede the entire territory of four regions claimed by Russia and abandon its plan to join NATO — remained “unshakeable”.

The latest talks come as diplomatic efforts continue alongside ongoing military operations in the conflict.

Reuters