US envoys ‘very encouraged’ after peace talks in Russia and Ukraine

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during talks in Moscow and Kyiv. The goal was to restart negotiations and end the five-year conflict. No immediate breakthroughs were announced, but the delegations worked to lay the groundwork for future diplomatic tracks.

Witkoff described the engagement in Kyiv as substantive and important, expressing confidence in a good resolution. Kushner emphasized President Trump's determination to end the war. Following the meetings, Witkoff stated they were making a lot of progress in Moscow. The US representatives met Putin for a three-hour session at the Kremlin, which included dinner.

Putin praised the US delegation's trustworthiness, and Witkoff reciprocated with a complimentary remark about Putin's stories. The US team advocates for a trilateral negotiation structure involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine, with Zelenskyy supporting broader regional coordination. Security concerns include a shortage of American-made interceptor missiles for Ukraine's defense.

The diplomatic mission took place amid heightened military activity and a likely continuation of the war into winter. International observers will assess the truce's stability as the diplomatic efforts progress.