In a rare burst of direct diplomacy amid a grinding war, Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down for more than three hours of what the Kremlin described as “highly useful” talks with two US envoys exploring ways to end the conflict in Ukraine — though officials offered no sign that the meeting produced a breakthrough.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the American visitors, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, “outlined a number of ideas regarding possible avenues for a settlement,” but he did not disclose what those proposals entailed.
According to Mr Ushakov, Mr Putin told the envoys that Russia was making “real progress” on the battlefield, remained confident it would achieve its objectives, and insisted any agreement must tackle “all the root causes of the conflict.”
Those themes echo Russia’s long-running public line throughout a war now stretching more than four and a half years. In recent weeks, both sides have stepped up long-range air strikes even as front lines have remained largely static.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were visiting Russia for the first time since January
Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner offered no public comment after the meeting. The pair were in Russia for the first time since January, travelling on behalf of US President Donald Trump.
They departed Russia shortly after the talks and are due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv today.
Mr Ushakov said the discussions ranged beyond a narrow focus on ending the war. “Economic issues and potential major, mutually beneficial Russian-American projects were discussed in some detail,” he said.
“Overall, one can say that the negotiations were timely and highly useful for both sides,” Mr Ushakov added.
Mr Putin’s investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who attended alongside Mr Ushakov, later wrote on X that it had been an “important peacemaking visit.”
Putin praises Trump’s efforts
Opening the talks in televised remarks, Mr Putin publicly commended Mr Trump’s push to end the war.
On Friday, Mr Trump suggested the United States had a new proposal aimed at halting the fighting, though he did not provide details.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv
“Understanding that he is entering a difficult situation, he nevertheless does not stop his efforts to help bring about a settlement and to make his contribution to resolving the Russian-Ukrainian conflict,” Mr Putin said.
Mr Putin also pledged to guarantee the safety of the US negotiators. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Mr Putin had instructed the Russian military not to strike Ukraine for three days because of their trip.
The pause came after an intense period in which Russia struck the Ukrainian capital around the clock for ten days with missiles and drones, including a Friday attack on the headquarters of the SBU security service.
Ukraine, for its part, has landed damaging blows throughout the summer on Russian refineries and oil terminals, as well as warehouses belonging to online retailer Wildberries, in an effort to raise the costs for Moscow of continuing the war.
Mr Zelensky said Ukraine was prepared to hold off on strikes against Russia through tomorrow.
A vast gulf in positions
Despite the renewed contacts, a vast gulf still separates Russia and Ukraine over how to bring an end to the fighting — the deadliest war in Europe since World War II.
Emergency service workers and local authorities respond to a Russian strike in the Bucha, Ukraine
A source close to the Kremlin, speaking before reports surfaced about the visit by Mr Trump’s envoys, said Mr Putin remained focused on taking additional territory.
“There is no chance of reaching an agreement regarding the front line until Mr Putin finishes securing the remaining part of the Donetsk region,” the source said, adding that the Russian leader believed, based on commanders’ reports, that this could be achieved by the end of the year.
Western military analysts have described that outcome as unlikely, citing Russia’s slow pace of advances.
Ukraine has rejected ceding land it has held at enormous cost, arguing that such terms would amount to surrender.
The Kremlin said on Friday that the position Mr Putin set out in a speech two years ago — that Ukraine should give up the full territory of four regions claimed by Russia and drop its ambition to join NATO — was “unshakeable.”
Since the last US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in February, both sides have expanded long-range strikes far into the other’s territory, while the conflict at sea has also intensified.
