US Envoys Meet Putin in Moscow for Ukraine War Settlement Talks

US Envoys Meet Putin in Moscow for Talks on Ending Ukraine War US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held more than three hours of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, as Washington stepped up efforts to explore a possible settlement to the Russia-Ukraine war. The closed-door meeting at the Kremlin focused on proposals aimed at ending the conflict, according to Russian and US officials. The US delegation is expected to travel to Kyiv next for discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. President Putin said the situation surrounding the war remained difficult but added that Russia was prepared to continue working with the United States on political and diplomatic solutions. “We understand that [US President Donald Trump] is stepping into a difficult situation. Nevertheless, he is persisting in his efforts to contribute to resolving the Russian - Ukrainian conflict,” Putin said during the meeting. Putin also asked the US envoys to convey his best wishes to President Trump.

Kremlin Calls Talks ‘Useful’ Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, who attended the meeting, described the discussions as “highly useful” and “substantive, constructive and confidential”. However, he did not announce any breakthrough or agreement. Ushakov said the US delegation presented several ideas on possible ways to reach a settlement. Russia, he added, gave its assessment of the battlefield situation and repeated its demand that the “root causes” of the conflict be addressed. The Kremlin also said Russia remained confident that it would achieve its stated military objectives in Ukraine. Earlier, President Trump said Washington had presented a new proposal aimed at ending the war, but he did not disclose details.

Fighting Continues Despite Diplomacy The talks took place as Russia and Ukraine continued air attacks against each other. According to the report, Putin and Zelenskyy agreed to temporarily pause strikes on Moscow and Kyiv while the US delegation held meetings in the two capitals. Witkoff thanked Putin for supporting the reported pause in attacks, describing it as a “no-shoot policy” that allowed the American delegation to travel safely. Following the Kremlin meeting, the White House said the US envoys would discuss substantive plans for next steps. Officials said further details could be announced in the coming weeks. The meeting represents a renewed diplomatic effort, but there was no immediate sign that Russia and Ukraine had narrowed their major differences over territory, security guarantees and the terms of a potential ceasefire.