Putin Holds Talks with US Envoys Witkoff and Kushner on Ending Ukraine War

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin held more than three hours of talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin on Saturday as Washington renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

The meeting focused on efforts to revive negotiations aimed at reaching a settlement to the conflict. Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov described the discussions as constructive, frank and useful, although no concrete breakthrough was announced.

The talks took place amid a significant escalation in aerial attacks between Russia and Ukraine. Both sides agreed to pause airstrikes on Kyiv and Moscow during the discussions, according to the report.

Witkoff and Kushner are expected to travel to Kyiv following their Moscow meetings. The visit would mark their first trip to Ukraine as part of the latest US diplomatic initiative to advance peace efforts.

The renewed diplomatic push comes as fighting continues to intensify, with Russia carrying out repeated missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities while Ukraine has launched attacks deep inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to discuss a temporary halt to airstrikes and urged Moscow to reciprocate. At the same time, continued military activity and mounting civilian casualties underscore the challenges facing efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement.

The latest negotiations represent another attempt by the Trump administration to bridge significant differences between Moscow and Kyiv and establish a framework for ending the conflict.