Putin tells US envoys Moscow-Washington ties aid Ukraine peace push

Putin met Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. The exchange underscored continuing US-Russia engagement as Washington pushes for a negotiated path forward.

In Short

• Witkoff and Kushner travelled to Moscow for negotiations on ending the conflict
• Witkoff conveyed Donald Trump's best wishes to the Russian president
• He also thanked Putin for agreeing to a ceasefire during talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin told US special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Saturday that contacts between Moscow and Washington had always been beneficial, as the two sides held talks on efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Putin said Russia found it convenient to work with Witkoff and Kushner, who travelled to Moscow as part of the US diplomatic effort to broker an end to the conflict.

Witkoff conveyed US President Donald Trump's best wishes to Putin and thanked the Russian leader for agreeing to a ceasefire during the US delegation's visit.

Putin, in turn, said Russia would do its utmost to ensure the safety of mediators involved in the negotiations.

The meeting comes as Washington steps up diplomatic efforts to find a pathway towards ending the war in Ukraine, with direct contacts between US and Russian officials continuing as part of the process.

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