Kremlin describes Putin talks with US mediators as constructive

The Kremlin has described President Vladimir Putin's talks with US mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, which have resumed after a long break, as constructive, content-rich and trusting. The meeting with US President Donald Trump's envoy about a possible end to the Ukraine conflict lasted a good three hours, said Putin's foreign policy advisor, Yuri Ushakov, that night. Ushakov emphasized that Putin had once again shown himself to be convinced that he would achieve the goals of his war - which Russia calls a special military operation.

Putin gave his assessment of the situation. “In particular, the actual successes of the Russian army in advancing in the operational area were highlighted,” said Ushakov. However, experts give different assessments about the supposed and real progress of the warring parties in the frontline area. There are always doubts as to whether Putin is truthfully informed about the picture by his general staff.

Above all, it is important for Russia to eliminate the root causes of the conflict, said Ushakov. This includes Moscow's actions against the Russian language, which is widespread in parts of Ukraine.

US envoys are supposed to convey Putin's position in Kyiv

Ushakov said nothing about new proposals that Trump and the Kremlin said would be presented at the meeting. Putin is counting on Witkoff and Kushner to convey the Russian perspective to Kiev, he emphasized. This did not initially suggest that there could be any movement towards resolving the conflict.

The two envoys will travel on to the Ukrainian capital, where they will be received today by President Volodymyr Zelensky. After several stays in Russia, this will be her first visit to Ukraine.

Putin has pledged to refrain from air strikes against the city of Kiev in a three-day ceasefire. However, Zelensky had accused the Russian military of demonstratively shelling Kiev's Zhuliany and Boryspil airports before the Americans arrived.

The previous talks between Putin and Trump's envoys had also led to direct negotiations between Russians and Ukrainians. However, they stalled and were then stopped because Witkoff and Kushner had been preoccupied with Trump's war against Iran in recent months.