Russian President Vladimir Putin held a three-hour meeting on Saturday with U.S. emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. According to Donald Trump, they brought a proposal intended to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“The American representatives prepared thoroughly for this visit. Not only did they reiterate their usual interest in a swift cessation of hostilities, but they also presented a series of ideas regarding potential pathways to a resolution,” Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov told journalists, including those from AFP.
He added that the discussion was constructive, extremely candid, and marked by confidence, noting that the Russian side “expressed trust in the fulfillment of the established goals.” However, he acknowledged that the situation remains complex.
During the talks, Putin addressed the two envoys in a spacious Kremlin hall, as shown in footage broadcast by Russian television.
The White House stated that Trump’s emissaries discussed “substantial plans for the next steps, which will be announced in the coming weeks,” and expressed eagerness to hold equally productive meetings in Ukraine on Sunday.
U.S. Envoys to Visit Kiev for First Time
The two American emissaries are expected in Kiev on Sunday.
Late Friday into Saturday, airports in Kiev were targeted in Russian attacks, denounced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who interpreted this as Russia’s attempt to disrupt their travel plans in Ukraine. The Russian bombardments resulted in at least seven fatalities in Ukraine—two in the Bucha district near the capital and five in the Dnipro region, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later confirmed that Putin ordered a halt to attacks on Kiev for three days during the envoys’ visit.
The day before, Zelensky assured that Ukraine would not bomb Russia during these negotiations and called on Moscow to “ensure, in turn, a ceasefire” for the necessary duration of the discussions.
