President Donald Trump said a US delegation’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin left the impression that Putin would like to end the war in Ukraine. The talks in Moscow, led by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, lasted about five hours and focused on possible pathways to a settlement of the conflict that began in February 2022.
Trump described the meeting as very good but cautioned that any deal requires agreement from both sides. According to senior Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov, the session was one of the most extensive exchanges between Washington and Moscow since the war began, but no compromise was reached on territorial questions. Both delegations reportedly reviewed various options and proposals, including fresh ideas presented by the American side, but key disputes—particularly over Ukrainian territory—remain unresolved.
Ushakov said the talks extended late into the night and emphasized that the discussions were confidential. He added that Putin asked Witkoff to convey a number of political signals directly to Trump, and that both delegations will report their findings to the president and continue communication. Senior Russian officials, including investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, participated in the Moscow meetings as the sides examined multiple scenarios for ending hostilities.
Putin also criticized European involvement in the process, accusing some EU governments of submitting proposals that, in his view, would effectively block progress toward a negotiated settlement. Despite the length and depth of the exchange, Russian officials acknowledged they are no closer to resolving the crisis and that substantial work remains if a settlement is to be found.
The meetings mark a notable diplomatic effort by private US envoys to press for a peace pathway, but with core disagreements intact, any progress appears contingent on resolving territorial and political sticking points between Kyiv and Moscow.
