U.S. Envoys Meet with Putin in Moscow to Discuss Peace Efforts
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who is President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday. The meeting, which lasted over three hours, aimed to find solutions for ending the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Despite the extended discussions, no significant agreements were reached, according to reports from the Associated Press. However, Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s advisor on foreign policy, described the talks as open and productive.
A White House representative stated, “The American team, including Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner, discussed various ideas to advance a peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine War.” They also expressed their gratitude to Putin for the recent release of former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman from Russian detention, which they viewed as a gesture of goodwill.
Both sides looked forward to discussing further steps, with plans for additional meetings scheduled in Kyiv to continue the dialogue.
Earlier in the day, President Trump had expressed optimism about the peace talks, stating, “We have a plan in mind. I sent two of our best negotiators over to see if we can achieve something meaningful.”
Following their time in Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner are set to visit Kyiv on Sunday, where they will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy mentioned on social media that Ukraine will take necessary measures to ensure the safety of the airspace during the Americans’ visit.
The situation remains tense, as Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s readiness to respect a ceasefire in airstrikes amid ongoing negotiations. He also directed Ukrainian forces to be prepared for responses to Russian attacks, stressing the importance of maintaining security and strategic defense.
This push for peace comes after recent escalations in the conflict, including a drone strike attributed to Russian forces targeting Ukrainian security headquarters.
As international discussions continue, both Ukraine and the U.S. remain focused on finding lasting solutions to end the hostilities.
