Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held more than three hours of talks in the Kremlin on September 5, 2026, though a Kremlin aide confirmed the meeting yielded no immediate breakthrough. Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin aide, stated that the Americans outlined ideas for a potential settlement, while Putin emphasized that Russia is making battlefield progress and must address the root causes of the conflict.
Kremlin Talks and Envoy Schedule
According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, the negotiations involving Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner lasted over three hours and went beyond a basic exchange of views. Ushakov told reporters that economic issues and potential mutually beneficial Russian-American projects were discussed in detail, characterizing the session as “timely and highly useful for both sides.” The two U.S. envoys, visiting Moscow for the first time since January on behalf of Donald Trump, flew out shortly after the meeting concluded and are scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Sunday, according to Reuters reporting.
A White House official described the talks as “substantive” and noted that next steps will be announced in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Putin’s investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev took to X to call the meeting an “important peacemaking visit.” Putin himself praised Trump’s ongoing efforts during televised remarks at the start of the summit, stating that Trump does not stop his work to bring about a settlement despite entering a difficult situation.
Security Measures and Recent Strikes
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin ordered the Russian military to halt strikes on the Ukrainian capital for three days. This pause followed a brutal ten-day campaign where Russia pounded Kyiv day and night with missiles and drones, including an attack on the SBU security service headquarters.
On the other side, Ukraine has targeted Russian infrastructure over the summer, hitting oil terminals, refineries, and online retailer Wildberries warehouses to raise Moscow’s war costs. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Kyiv is prepared to refrain from striking Moscow through Monday.
Entrenched Positions and Territorial Goals
Despite the diplomatic outreach, a vast gulf remains between Moscow and Kyiv regarding how to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two. A person close to the Kremlin reported that Putin remains intent on capturing more territory, stating there is no chance of a front-line agreement until Russian forces secure the remaining portion of the Donetsk region. Kremlin leadership reportedly expects this objective to be met by the end of the year.
Western military analysts view that timeline as unlikely given the slow pace of Moscow’s advances. Ukraine strongly rejects surrendering defended land, viewing such terms as capitulation. The Kremlin reiterated that Putin’s position from two years ago—requiring Ukraine to cede four claimed regions entirely and abandon NATO membership plans—remains unshakeable.
Did you know? Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s visit to Moscow marks their first trip to the Russian capital since January, as part of ongoing U.S. efforts to broker an end to the war.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who represented the United States at the Kremlin talks?
- U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, traveled to Moscow for the negotiations.
- Did the Kremlin talks result in a peace breakthrough?
- No, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov reported that while the talks were useful and covered various settlement ideas, no breakthrough was reached.
- Where are the U.S. envoys heading next?
- Following their departure from Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner are scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv.
To stay updated on diplomatic developments and international market impacts, subscribe to our newsletter or explore our latest coverage on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Related reading