Witkoff, Kushner Meet Putin in Moscow to Push Ukraine War Deal

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, sat down with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Saturday, opening a high-stakes weekend diplomatic push aimed at finding a path to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The pair are expected to continue the mission in Kyiv on Sunday.

According to The Associated Press, Witkoff and Kushner spent more than three hours in private talks with Putin, but the meeting ended without a major breakthrough.

Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, described the discussions as constructive, candid and useful, the AP reported.

Following the Moscow meeting, a White House official said Witkoff and Kushner had met with Putin to promote Trump’s push for peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine. The official said representatives from the National Security Council, the State Department and the Treasury Department also joined the talks to review possible proposals for ending the conflict. The U.S. delegation also expressed appreciation to Putin for releasing former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman from Russian custody, saying the move was made out of respect for Trump.

The White House official added that both sides discussed detailed next steps, with further announcements expected in the coming weeks, and said the delegation anticipated similarly productive discussions in Ukraine on Sunday.

Trump spoke to reporters Friday about the planned diplomatic visit.

He said his administration had developed a peace concept and had dispatched Witkoff and Kushner, whom he called strong negotiators, to see whether a deal could be reached. Trump added that he believed there was a real possibility of progress.

Kushner and Witkoff visited Russia first on Saturday, and were greeted by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev shortly after landing in Moscow.

Kushner and Witkoff will be Kyiv on Sunday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy. 

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said Ukraine will work to keep Russian airspace safe during the Americans’ visit.

“Just as we did during previous diplomatic visits by the American side, we will ensure the normal functioning of Russian airspace so that the negotiators can arrive safely. We are looking out for them, not for Russia. There will be no air strikes from our side, and Russia must do the same, ensuring there are no air strikes from its side for the time needed to hold these talks and handle the logistical matters related to this American visit,” Zelenskyy wrote.

“Our goal is to make the visit and the talks with the U.S. side as constructive and substantive as possible. We need to look for real options for how to move this war toward an end. We will see what proposals Steve and Jared bring and what they are told in Moscow in response.”

Zelenskyy, in a subsequent Saturday morning post on X, said he had already communicated with Witkoff and Kushner ahead of their planned Sunday meeting.

“I have just spoken with the U.S. President’s envoys. They have already begun working with the Russian side today. From the moment of this conversation, we are ready to observe a ceasefire in airstrikes against the cities involved in the negotiation process. From now through the end of Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow, and we expect the Russians to do the same regarding Kyiv,” Zelenskyy wrote.

“Today, I also received reports from Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi on the situation at the front, the dynamics of threats in Ukraine’s airspace, our steps, and active defensive operations. I am grateful to every one of our warriors for effectively defending Ukraine’s positions,” Zelenskyy’s post continued. 

“On the diplomatic track, our actions must be, and will be, just as strong and effective – one hundred percent. The plan for tomorrow’s diplomatic engagements in Kyiv, involving the U.S. team, has been approved. We are waiting for Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and are ready for a substantive conversation. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine!” 

Zelenskyy’s message Friday came the same day a Russian drone strike targeted the Security Service of Ukraine’s headquarters in Ukraine, Zelenskyy wrote in a public message on the app Telegram.

Zelenskyy alleged the strike directly targeted the head of the Security Service’s office.

He also wrote that he was directing the head, Oleksandr Poklad, to prepare a retaliatory strike. 

“I gave Poklad the task of adequately, noticeably and, if possible, mirroring the Russians’ response to this attack, when everything is prepared. Our military will support this response. Glory to Ukraine!” Zelenskyy wrote.

At least nine people were injured in the explosion, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko also wrote on Telegram.

The visit also comes just one day after German officials formally accused Russia of attempting an explosive drone attack on a major airport in Germany.

“The attack on the aircraft in Leipzig was concrete; it could have triggered a catastrophe had it succeeded. The attacker was, at most, covert, but even here there is now certainty: The German government has named Russia as the mastermind. Patterns of attack, police investigations, and intelligence findings prove Russian responsibility for the drone attack,” Stefan Kornelius, a spokesperson for the German federal government, wrote Friday.

News Outlet contacted the White House and the foreign ministries for Russia, Ukraine and Germany for further comment.