Vladimir Putin’s foreign-policy adviser Yuri Ushakov described closed-door talks between the Russian president and two senior American envoys as “highly useful” following a lengthy meeting, Reuters reported on Saturday.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Russia as part of renewed U.S. efforts to restart stalled peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine after months of deadlock.
Ushakov said the two American envoys “outlined a number of ideas regarding possible avenues for a settlement” but declined to share specific details about the proposed plans.
The meeting lasted over three hours and went well beyond a simple diplomatic exchange, covering economic cooperation alongside the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“The talks went beyond a mere exchange of views on resolving the Ukrainian crisis. Economic issues and potential major, mutually beneficial Russian-American projects were discussed in some detail,” Ushakov said.
Putin authorized a 72-hour pause on strikes against Kyiv to allow for the safe travel of the American envoys, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
The temporary halt in strikes represented a notable, if limited, gesture from Moscow ahead of what both sides described as a substantive and serious diplomatic engagement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also weighed in following his own conversations with Witkoff and Kushner, signaling a cautious but meaningful shift in Kyiv’s posture.
Zelensky said Ukraine was “ready to observe a ceasefire in airstrikes” in cities where negotiations were actively taking place, reflecting measured optimism on the Ukrainian side.
The discussions mark one of the most significant diplomatic interactions between Washington and Moscow since the conflict in Ukraine began, with economic cooperation emerging as a key secondary topic.
Whether the “ideas” presented by the American envoys will translate into a concrete framework for peace remains to be seen, as both sides have repeatedly struggled to find common ground.
The involvement of Witkoff and Kushner signals continued high-level U.S. engagement in the peace process, with Washington positioning itself as a central broker in any potential resolution.
