Putin Meets US Envoys in Moscow to Discuss Trump's Proposal for Ending the Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin has initiated discussions with United States envoys regarding the termination of over four years of conflict in Ukraine, ahead of their scheduled visit to Kyiv on Sunday.

Putin held a meeting with Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy, and Jared Kushner, a business ally and the president's son-in-law, at the Kremlin on Saturday. A pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik captured Putin welcoming Witkoff and Kushner prior to the talks in Moscow.

“Dear colleagues, I warmly welcome you to Moscow. The situation is, of course, not simple,” Putin stated to the envoys in footage broadcasted by Russian TV.

As Washington attempts to revitalize US-led negotiations to conclude Europe's most severe conflict since World War II, both Russia and Ukraine committed to refraining from striking each other's capitals for a three-day period during the discussions. Donald Trump previously indicated that Kushner and Witkoff were delivering “a proposal to end the war”.

During his address to the two men, Putin remarked: “I would like to ask everyone to convey their best wishes and words of gratitude to US President Mr Trump”. Witkoff responded that Trump had transmitted his best wishes to Putin and expressed gratitude for the limited ceasefire implemented during the delegation's visit, while Putin assured that Russia would make every effort to guarantee the safety of the mediators.

Refrain from Strikes

The negotiations coincide with a summer marked by mounting civilian casualties and attacks in the ongoing war, which originated with the Russian invasion in 2022. Putin has repeatedly stated Moscow's intention to capture the remaining territory in east Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials reported that Russian airstrikes on Saturday resulted in the deaths of at least seven people, including individuals in the Kyiv suburbs. In response to the diplomatic visit, the Kremlin announced it would suspend strikes on Kyiv starting midnight on Saturday, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared he would halt attacks on Moscow until Monday.

“The Russian president, the commander-in-chief, has given the order from midnight tonight not to strike Kyiv for three days,” stated Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Zelensky, who previously proposed a truce coinciding with the US visits, confirmed via social media that he had communicated with the US envoys and pledged that Kyiv would suspend strikes on Moscow. “From now through the end of Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow,” Zelensky noted, adding that he anticipated meeting the US officials in Kyiv on Sunday.

This visit marks the first time Witkoff and Kushner will travel to Kyiv since Trump assumed office last year with a campaign commitment to resolve the conflict.