MOSCOW — A high-level diplomatic push to end the devastating war in Ukraine entered a critical phase on Saturday as Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential advisor Jared Kushner at the Kremlin.
The extensive, three-hour talks mark a renewed effort by Washington to revive stalled negotiations, even as deep structural disagreements and intense aerial bombardments continue to shadow the peace process.
Witkoff and Kushner arrived in the Russian capital bearing a newly formulated U.S. proposal aimed at establishing a pathway toward a lasting settlement. Opening the closed-door session, Putin described the current security and political landscape as complex, while asking the emissaries to convey his gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for persisting in diplomatic mediation.
Temporary Lull in Capital Strikes
To facilitate the diplomatic mission, Moscow and Kyiv agreed to a temporary, localized pause in aerial attacks targeting each other’s capitals. The three-day window—which took effect at midnight—was designed to provide a secure environment for the high-stakes talks.
Despite the capital-city truce, active combat and deadly strikes persisted across other frontlines. Reports indicated multiple civilian casualties from Saturday attacks in Ukraine, underscoring the severe volatility facing the latest diplomatic initiative.
Deep Divisions Remain
Following the Kremlin session, Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy aide, characterized the discussions as “substantive, constructive, and exceptionally candid”. However, Moscow signaled no immediate retreat from its core military and territorial objectives.
The Kremlin continues to demand sweeping territorial concessions from Kyiv alongside a formal abandonment of Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership. Conversely, the Ukrainian government has repeatedly rejected any terms amounting to a surrender of national sovereignty.
Next Stop: Kyiv
The American delegation is scheduled to travel to Ukraine’s capital on Sunday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Marking the envoys’ first official wartime visit to Kyiv, the meetings will test whether Washington’s revised framework can bridge the vast chasm between Moscow’s hardline demands and Kyiv’s insistence on an uncompromised, sovereign peace.
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