The three-day ceasefire ordered by Putin is intended to allow Trump's envoy to visit Kiev

The new talks on the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine between Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin and US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, which were scheduled at short notice, have come to an end in Moscow. After around three hours of discussions, US President Donald Trump's two envoys left the Kremlin that night, as state media reported and also published a video of the motorcade.

Nothing is yet known about the results of the discussions. The Kremlin had announced that it would inform the public following the meeting.

Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Kushner were taken to Vnukovo airport by Putin's representative for international economic relations, Kirill Dmitriev. Dmitiryev, who according to Russian state media had also dined with guests in a Moscow gourmet restaurant for three and a half hours during the day, published a photo on X with the remark that it was an “important peacemaking visit”.

The envoys want to travel on to Kiev, where they will be received by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this Sunday. It was unclear where they would spend the night. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov, the US negotiators had new proposals in their luggage. Peskov did not give any details. Trump also said that Witkoff and Kushner would come with a proposal.

Three-day ceasefire should enable visitors to Kyiv

Putin has ordered a three-day ceasefire in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. It is intended to ensure that Witkoff and Kushner, who have already been to Russia several times for talks, can visit Kiev for the first time. Putin said Russia was doing everything it could to ensure their safe journey. Zelensky had accused the Russian military of demonstratively shelling Kiev's Shulyany 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 first stalled and then were stopped because Witkoff and Kushner have been preoccupied with Trump's war against Iran in recent months. Since Russia is supporting Iran in the conflict, experts close to the Kremlin speculated whether Witkoff and Kushner might also address the issue of Iran.