US President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for three hours of closed-door discussions regarding the war in Ukraine. Putin expressed a willingness to engage in the process, noting a high level of trust with the negotiators, while his adviser Yuri Ushakov described the meeting as frank and inclusive of potential economic projects. The talks follow President Trump’s announcement that his representatives are carrying a proposal aimed at ending the conflict.
As part of the diplomatic efforts, both Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day halt on strikes targeting each other's capitals. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that he has been in contact with the US team and is prepared for substantive discussions when the envoys arrive in Kyiv on Sunday. While Putin emphasized the importance of these contacts, he clarified that the strike suspension is limited to the capital cities and does not constitute a broader ceasefire.
Despite these diplomatic engagements, the conflict continues with ongoing aerial attacks across the region. President Zelensky reported recent Russian strikes on airports and civilian infrastructure, while Russian forces maintain control over approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. The upcoming visit to Kyiv marks the first time the US envoys will conduct peace talks within Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
