Putin Holds 'Highly Useful' Talks with US Envoys on Ukraine Conflict
No breakthrough achieved as both sides remain far apart on conflict resolution
Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in over three hours of discussions with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner regarding the Ukraine conflict. Despite the talks being described as 'highly useful', no breakthrough was reported. The discussions covered potential economic collaborations and the root causes of the conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held over three hours of discussions with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Saturday, aiming to find a resolution to the ongoing Ukraine conflict. According to a Kremlin aide, Yuri Ushakov, the talks were 'highly useful', though no breakthrough was achieved.
Discussion Details
Ushakov noted that the American envoys outlined several ideas for a potential settlement, although he did not specify what these ideas entailed. During the meeting, Putin expressed confidence in Russia's progress on the battlefield and reiterated the need to address all root causes of the conflict, a stance Moscow has maintained since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
The White House described the talks as 'substantive', with further steps expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Witkoff and Kushner, representing President Donald Trump, left Moscow shortly after the talks and are scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Sunday.
Economic Discussions and Praise for Trump
Beyond the conflict, the talks also covered economic issues and potential major Russian-American projects. Ushakov stated that the negotiations were timely and beneficial for both sides. Putin praised Trump's efforts to resolve the conflict, acknowledging the challenging situation he faces.
Trump hinted at a new US proposal to end the war but did not provide details. Putin assured the safety of the US negotiators, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noting that Putin had ordered a temporary halt to Russian military strikes on Kyiv during their visit.
Ongoing Conflict and Positions
The discussions occur amid intensified air strikes by both sides, with Russia recently targeting Kyiv and Ukraine hitting Russian refineries and other strategic locations. Despite these talks, Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on resolving the conflict, which is the deadliest in Europe since World War Two.
A source close to the Kremlin indicated that Putin remains focused on capturing more territory, particularly in the Donetsk region, and is confident of achieving this by the year's end. However, Western military analysts view this as unlikely due to Moscow's slow progress. Ukraine has firmly rejected any terms that would require it to cede defended land, viewing such demands as akin to surrender.
The Kremlin reiterated its unyielding position that Ukraine should concede the entire territory of four regions claimed by Russia and abandon its NATO membership aspirations.