Kremlin says Ukraine talks with US envoys were 'useful'

Russian President Vladimir Putin held more than three hours of "highly useful" talks with two US envoys seeking a deal to end the Ukraine war, a Kremlin aide said, but he gave no indication of any breakthrough.

The aide, Yuri Ushakov, said Americans Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner "outlined a number of ideas regarding possible avenues for a settlement." Mr Ushakov did not say what these ideas were.

He said Mr Putin had told the pair that Russia was making "real progress" on the battlefield, was confident of achieving its goals, and stressed the necessity of addressing "all the root causes of the conflict."

All these are statements that Russia has made repeatedly in the course of the war, which has dragged on for more than four and a half years and has seen both sides intensify long-range air strikes in recent weeks while the front lines remain largely static.

There was no comment from Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner, who were visiting Russia for the first time since January on behalf of US President Donald Trump.

They flew out of Russia soon after the talks and are due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv today.

"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," Mr Ushakov said.

"Overall, one can say that the negotiations were timely and highly useful for both sides," he added.

Mr Putin's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev posted afterwards on X that it had been an "important peacemaking visit." He and Mr Ushakov were both present at the meeting.

Putin praises Trump's efforts

In televised remarks at the start of the talks, Mr Putin praised Mr Trump's efforts to end the war.

Mr Trump suggested on Friday the US had a fresh proposal aimed at ending the war, but did not elaborate.

"Understanding that he is entering a difficult situation, he nevertheless does not stop his efforts to help bring about a settlement and to make his contribution to resolving the Russian-Ukrainian conflict," Mr Putin said.

He promised to ensure the safety of the US negotiators. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Mr Putin had ordered the Russian military not to strike Ukraine for three days because of their trip.

Over the previous ten days, Russia had pounded the Ukrainian capital day and night with missiles and drones, including an attack on Friday on the headquarters of the SBU security service.

Ukraine has inflicted damaging hits throughout the summer on Russian refineries, oil terminals and warehouses of online retailer Wildberries, in a bid to raise the cost to Russia of continuing the war.

Mr Zelensky said Ukraine was prepared to refrain from strikes on Russia through tomorrow.

A vast gulf in positions

A vast gulf remains between Russia and Ukraine on how to end the war, the deadliest in Europe since World War II.

A source close to the Kremlin, speaking before reports emerged of the trip by Mr Trump's envoys, said Mr Putin was still intent on capturing more territory.

"There is no chance of reaching an agreement regarding the front line until Mr Putin finishes securing the remaining part of the Donetsk region," the source said, adding that the Kremlin leader was confident - based on reports from his commanders - that this would happen by the end of the year.

Western military analysts see such a possibility as remote, given Russia's slow rate of progress.

Ukraine has refused to surrender land it has successfully defended at huge cost, and rejects such terms as tantamount to surrender.

The Kremlin said on Friday the position that Mr Putin set out in a speech two years ago - that Ukraine should cede the entire territory of four regions claimed by Russia and abandon its plan to join NATO - was "unshakeable."

Since the last US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in February, each side has intensified long-range air attacks deep inside the other's territory, while the war at sea has also escalated.