U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for about three hours. The main topics of the meeting were resolving the Ukraine crisis, Russia-U.S. relations and options for economic cooperation.
Putin expressed appreciation for the U.S. mediation role on Ukraine during the meeting. He thanked Donald Trump for his efforts to pursue a resolution. The meeting was described as constructive, based on trust and beneficial.
Resolution options assessed in Moscow
The sides said the root causes of the Ukraine crisis needed to be eliminated. The Russian side conducted a comprehensive assessment of the course of military activity in Ukraine and said it was ready to continue joint work toward a political and diplomatic resolution.
The meeting also addressed an assessment that the Russian army was advancing on the battlefield and would achieve its stated objectives. This assessment was included in the statement on the Moscow talks.
Witkoff and Kushner's next stop is Kyiv
Witkoff and Kushner are expected to travel to Kyiv after their talks in Moscow. The U.S. representatives will convey Putin's views on finding a lasting and peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis during their meetings in Kyiv.
The representatives made extensive preparations for the visit and presented various proposals for possible solutions, in addition to expressing their desire to end the conflict.
Russia-U.S. economic projects on the agenda
Putin and the U.S. representatives held detailed discussions on economic issues as well as relations between the two countries. They also discussed major projects that could be implemented between Russia and the United States and were considered mutually beneficial.
The sides agreed to maintain personal contact between the Russian and U.S. leaders and to continue the work conducted through Witkoff and Kushner.
