MOSCOW — U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner concluded three hours of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 5, discussing potential routes to end the Ukraine conflict. The American representatives departed Moscow after midnight and are expected in Kyiv for meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The discussions in the Kremlin stretched until approximately 11 p.m. Moscow time, according to Russian state news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, who participated in the session, characterized the talks as "substantive, frank and constructive." Ushakov said the U.S. envoys expressed interest in a quick end to hostilities and presented "a number of ideas on possible routes to a settlement."
Ushakov said the envoys promised to convey Putin's views to Ukrainian leaders during their upcoming Kyiv discussions. Russia, Ushakov said, aims to achieve its objectives and resolve the "root causes" of the conflict—a reference to Moscow's demands that Ukraine abandon aspirations for NATO membership and disarm its military, positions Kyiv has consistently rejected.
President Donald Trump announced on September 4 that his envoys were carrying a peace proposal to Russia and would then relay it to Ukraine. "I 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," Trump told reporters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on September 5 that he had spoken with the U.S. envoys. Writing on Telegram, Zelenskyy said, "The plan of diplomatic activities for tomorrow in Kyiv with the participation of the American team has been approved." He added, "We are waiting for Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and are ready for a meaningful conversation."
As the meeting commenced near 8 p.m. Moscow time, Putin said the three men would need to address a "difficult situation" during their discussions. The late start followed a busy day for Putin, which included opening a new subway line in Moscow and inaugurating a Siberian oil terminal via video link.
This diplomatic push comes as the conflict enters its fifth year, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Trump made ending the largest war in Europe since 1945 a priority upon taking office in January 2025.
