US envoys Witkoff, Kushner meet Putin for talks on Ukraine war

Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov announced that President Vladimir Putin engaged in over three hours of talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Saturday in a bid to end the Ukraine conflict. Ushakov described the discussions as "extremely useful" but emphasized that no progress had been achieved. The envoys presented ideas for potential settlement methods, though specifics were not disclosed.

Putin informed the envoys of Russia's battlefield progress and its confidence in achieving objectives, while stressing the need to address all conflict root causes. Moscow has frequently made similar claims during the six-year-long war. Both sides recently escalated long-range airstrikes, yet front lines have remained largely unchanged.

Witkoff and Kushner, visiting Moscow for the first time since January on behalf of former President Donald Trump, are set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday. Ushakov noted that the talks covered economic issues and potential mutually beneficial Russian-American projects. Kremlin investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev later stated that the visit was crucial for peace.

Putin had commended Trump's efforts to end the war and promised the negotiators' safety. Putin also assured the US negotiators that Russia would maintain its ceasefire during their visit. Zelensky affirmed Ukraine's readiness to abstain from attacks on Moscow until Monday. Significant disagreements persist between Russia and Ukraine regarding the war's conclusion, with both sides unwilling to concede territorial gains or NATO membership.

Russia aims to annex the four regions claimed by it, while Ukraine refuses to surrender territory it has fiercely defended.