Trump negotiators Witkoff, Kushner meet with Putin in Moscow as US pushes for end to Russia-Ukraine war

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law and advisor, Jared Kushner, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Saturday, as part of a weekend journey that will take them to Kyiv on Sunday in an effort to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Witkoff and Kushner met with Putin for more than three hours behind closed doors, The Associated Press reported, and concluded without any breakthroughs.

The AP said Putin’s foreign policy advisor, Yuri Ushakov, called the talks constructive, frank and useful.

"Today, Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to advance President Trump's agenda of peace in the Russia-Ukraine War.

They were joined by officials from the National Security Council, State Department, and Treasury Department to discuss proposals to bring peace to this conflict," a White House official said after Saturday's talks.

"The American delegation also thanked President Putin for releasing former United States Marine Robert Gilman from Russian custody out of respect for President Trump.

"The two sides discussed substantive plans for next steps, which will be announced in the coming weeks, and look forward to equally productive meetings tomorrow in Ukraine." TRUMP ANNOUNCES SURPRISE THREE-DAY CEASEFIRE IN RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR On Friday, Trump addressed Saturday's anticipated visit with reporters.

"We have an idea for peace.

I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators," he said.

"They've done a great job, and we sent them over to see whether or not we can get something done.

And there may be a good chance that we'll do it." 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.

CIA DIRECTOR JOHN RATCLIFFE MET WITH RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS IN VISIT TO MOSCOW, KREMLIN SAYS "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.