Putin and US Envoys Discuss Trump’s Ukraine Peace Proposal

The Kremlin Talks and Proposed Peace Frameworks

Putin welcomed Kushner—US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law—and Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy and business ally, in a televised ceremony at the Kremlin. During the meeting, Putin remarked that the situation is not simple. According to Ushakov, the discussions were substantive, very frank, and constructive, resulting in a whole series of ideas for a peace settlement.

Senior Russian official Kirill Dmitriev characterized the trip as an important peacemaking visit following three hours of negotiations. Ushakov stated that Putin told the envoys Russia would achieve its military objectives and that the root causes of the conflict must be resolved. Moscow remains confident in its ability to seize the remaining territory in eastern Ukraine, according to the Kremlin aide.

Three-Day Capital Truce and Regional Strikes

Ahead of the negotiations, Russia and Ukraine pledged not to strike each other’s capitals for a three-day window. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Putin ordered a halt to strikes on Kyiv starting at midnight on Saturday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy subsequently stated that Kyiv would refrain from striking Moscow through the end of Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Despite the capital truce, fighting continued in other regions. Russian strikes across Ukraine on Saturday killed at least seven people, including victims in the Kyiv suburbs, according to Ukrainian officials. In Russia, a Ukrainian drone attack in the Belgorod region killed one person and injured another, local authorities reported.

Differing Diplomatic Approaches and Next Steps

Al Jazeera’s Yulia Shapovalova reported from Moscow that the Kremlin presented mixed signals during the talks. While Putin remains publicly open to peace talks, he maintains that no concessions will be made on key issues following Ukraine’s escalating drone operations targeting major economic logistics hubs, oil infrastructure, and online retailers. Putin also reiterated that he will not negotiate with terrorists.

Meanwhile, alternative diplomatic plans have emerged in Washington. Trump’s nomination of retired General Keith Kellogg as special envoy outlined a framework proposing to freeze frontlines via a ceasefire, establish a demilitarized zone, and place Ukraine’s NATO membership on hold indefinitely in exchange for a comprehensive peace deal, according to policy documents from the America First Policy Institute analyzed by CNN.

Transition to Kyiv

Following the Saturday evening meetings, Witkoff and Kushner departed Moscow for Kyiv, as reported by Russian news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti. Ushakov confirmed that the US envoys promised to take Putin’s assessments to Ukrainian officials, and both sides agreed that Putin and Trump would stay in touch.

Al Jazeera’s Audrey MacAlpine reported from Kyiv that Ukrainian officials view the visit as a milestone. Many in Ukraine believe foreign diplomats must visit to fully understand the scope of the war, though local observers consider the trip largely ceremonial rather than a driver of immediate concrete results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who represented the United States in the Kremlin talks?

Steve Witkoff, a special envoy and business ally of Donald Trump, and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

What was agreed regarding capital strikes?

Russia and Ukraine agreed to a three-day halt on strikes targeting Kyiv and Moscow, spanning the duration of the US envoys’ diplomatic visit.

What are the primary goals of Russia in the current talks?

According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, Russia intends to achieve its military objectives, secure the remaining parts of eastern Ukraine, and resolve what Moscow terms the root causes of the conflict.