US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday for over three hours of talks aimed at reviving stalled efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Both Russia and Ukraine agreed to pause strikes on each other’s capitals – Kyiv and Moscow – for three days concurrent with the discussions. Putin asked the envoys to convey his greetings to former President Donald Trump, describing the situation in Ukraine as “not simple.”
According to Russian presidential advisor Yuri Ushakov, the talks were “constructive, extremely frank” and covered both the Ukrainian crisis and potential economic projects. Ushakov also noted that Russia highlighted its “tangible advances in the combat zone” and emphasized the need to address the “root causes of the conflict.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Ukraine was prepared to refrain from strikes on Moscow through Monday, contingent on Russia doing the same regarding Kyiv.
The US envoys are scheduled to arrive in Kyiv on Sunday for their first visit to the Ukrainian capital as part of the peace process. Washington’s push for a resolution had lost momentum in recent months, with US attention focused on the war in Iran. The last known visit by Witkoff and Kushner to Moscow was in January. Despite the talks, both Russia and Ukraine have intensified aerial attacks in recent months, with Ukraine citing a shortage of interceptor missiles and Russia targeting Ukrainian economic infrastructure.
While details of any specific plans remain forthcoming, an announcement is expected in the coming weeks. Russia currently controls approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory seized since 2022. The pause in strikes on capitals is in effect for three days, beginning at midnight Saturday.
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