Putin’s talks with U.S. envoys were constructive and extremely frank, Kremlin says

The Kremlin described Vladimir Putin’s meeting with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as substantive, constructive and “extremely frank,” saying the talks took place in a trusting atmosphere in Moscow.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said the discussions focused on extremely serious issues and combined a working-format meeting with an informal dinner. Putin reiterated Moscow’s willingness to work with Washington on political and diplomatic solutions to issues concerning Ukraine.

Ushakov said the Russian side presented what he called a clear and comprehensive assessment of developments during the conflict. He said the meeting noted advances by the Russian army in the combat zone, expressed confidence that Russia would achieve its stated objectives and stressed the need to eliminate what Moscow considers the conflict’s root causes.

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extremely frank

The talks also extended beyond efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Ushakov said the sides discussed economic matters and possible large-scale projects that could benefit Russia and the United States. He called the meeting timely and highly beneficial for both sides.

The talks lasted three hours and 10 minutes, Tass reported. The sides agreed that Putin and the U.S. president would continue personal contact, while engagement through Witkoff and Kushner would continue. Ushakov said the envoys would carry Putin’s observations and assessments to scheduled contacts in Kyiv the following day, including his views on prospects for a durable peace settlement. Earlier, Putin had ordered a three-day pause in strikes against Kyiv as preparations for the meeting continued. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged journalists not to predict possible settlement proposals before the talks’ outcome was known.

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The meeting with President Putin will indeed take place, and there will be talks. As a rule, such meetings have been quite lengthy in the past. Let us wait and see. We will certainly keep you informed.