US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday evening to discuss pathways toward ending the war in Ukraine. Following the session, the delegation departed Russia with plans to travel to Kyiv.
Putin described the current diplomatic climate as “not simple,” according to footage released by Russian state media. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov characterized the discussions as “useful,” noting that the two sides explored various concepts aimed at halting the conflict.
The meeting coincided with a mutually agreed three-day pause in strikes. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin ordered no strikes against Kyiv to begin at midnight, aligning with a prior commitment by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to suspend airstrikes.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia’s assurance of safe airspace was primarily for the benefit of the negotiators rather than Russian interests. “We are concerned about their safety, not about Russia,” he stated.
Earlier, President Donald Trump revealed that the envoys were carrying a new peace proposal but declined to release specifics, such as whether it involved territorial concessions from Ukraine. He simply noted, “We have an idea for peace,” acknowledging that ending the five-year conflict has proven more complex than initially anticipated.
Zelenskyy announced on Friday that Kushner and Witkoff would visit Ukraine on Sunday, marking their first trip to Kyiv since Trump’s reelection. Although recent reports had cast doubt on the visit, Zelenskyy confirmed on Saturday that he had spoken with the envoys and declared readiness to observe a ceasefire in cities relevant to the negotiations.
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