Witkov thanks Putin for the ceasefire in Ukraine and facilitating negotiations
Quick Look
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia's agreement to a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine, which allowed US negotiators to reach Moscow safely, and Putin stressed that he will do everything in his power to ensure the security of the negotiators, while diplomatic efforts to end the Ukrainian conflict continue.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
This meeting comes within the framework of ongoing American efforts to mediate between Moscow and Kiev to end the Ukrainian conflict, and it is the sixth of its kind between Putin and American negotiators.
Witkov addressed Putin at the beginning of the meeting, saying: “Mr. President, I would like to thank you for the Russian Federation agreeing to a ceasefire for these three days, so that no strikes will be launched on Kiev or on Moscow, which allowed us to come here safely during these three days.”
The US President's special envoy also conveyed to the Russian President the best wishes of US President Donald Trump, and said at the beginning of the meeting: "President Trump asked me to convey his best wishes to you."
For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Moscow will do its utmost to ensure the security of American negotiators in Moscow, during his meeting with American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
In conjunction with these talks, President Putin issued instructions to stop all air strikes on the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, for three days, starting at midnight on Saturday, a step linked to the communications of American envoys in Kiev. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that the Ukrainian side was informed of this step.
Witkov and Kushner arrived in Moscow on Saturday, and met in the evening with the Russian President in the Kremlin, as part of ongoing American efforts to mediate between Moscow and Kiev.
US President Donald Trump indicated earlier that the envoys would present proposals to end the conflict in Ukraine during their visit to Moscow. This meeting, the sixth of its kind between Putin and American negotiators, comes amid intense diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving progress in the Ukrainian file, as Witkov and Kushner are scheduled to head to Kiev tomorrow to meet with Vladimir Zelensky.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Witkov and Kushner will head to Kyiv tomorrow to meet with Vladimir Zelensky to continue negotiations
Very likely · Within days
Diplomatic efforts will continue to achieve progress on the Ukrainian file
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will a temporary ceasefire lead to permanent peace negotiations?
- What proposals will Witkov and Kushner present in Kyiv?
- Will Ukraine accept the negotiating terms being discussed by Russia and the United States?
