Russian President Vladimir Putin held a three-hour-and-10-minute meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner in Moscow on September 5, as Washington intensifies diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the Ukraine conflict.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov described the discussions as substantive, constructive and extremely frank, saying the meeting took place in a trusting atmosphere. The talks included both formal working discussions and informal conversations over dinner.
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According to Ushakov, Putin reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to continue working with the United States in search of political and diplomatic solutions to the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian side also presented its assessment of developments on the battlefield and emphasised what it described as the need to address the root causes of the conflict.
The meeting was not limited to the war in Ukraine. Russian and US representatives also discussed economic issues and the possibility of developing large-scale projects that could benefit both countries, according to the Kremlin.
Ushakov said the discussions were timely and beneficial and confirmed that direct contact between Putin and US President Donald Trump would continue. He added that Witkoff and Kushner would relay Putin’s views and assessments during their subsequent meetings with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv.
The diplomatic engagement comes as Moscow and Kyiv agreed to observe a temporary three-day pause in strikes on the two capitals through Monday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was prepared to refrain from strikes on Moscow during the agreed period and expected Russia to take similar steps regarding Kyiv.
The pause is linked to the ongoing diplomatic contacts involving the US envoys. Witkoff and Kushner were expected to travel to Kyiv on Sunday following their Moscow meetings, with Zelenskyy previously indicating that he expected to meet them in the Ukrainian capital.
The Kremlin also confirmed that Putin had ordered a three-day halt to strikes against Kyiv in connection with preparations for the envoys’ visit.
The latest meetings represent another attempt to maintain diplomatic channels between Russia, Ukraine and the United States as efforts continue to explore the possibility of a durable settlement to the conflict. While significant differences remain between Moscow and Kyiv, the temporary reduction in strikes and continued high-level contacts have created a new window for negotiations.
