Putin-US envoy talks conclude: Latest reactions (Updates, VIDEOS)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has concluded talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow. The Kremlin described the meeting as constructive and confirmed that diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict will continue.
The talks followed two days of US-mediated negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, which focused on a potential settlement of the conflict and the future European security architecture.
Senior officials, including Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, and Witkoff, have been speaking to reporters following the meeting.
RT brings you the key statements and latest developments.
“Constructive” talks
Putin’s negotiations with the US envoys were “substantive, constructive, frank and useful,” Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told reporters following the meeting.
He said the discussions followed a similar pattern to previous exchanges between the Russian president and American negotiators.
Kushner also described the talks with Putin as “very fulsome and detailed,” saying they covered all major issues and would help shape the next round of multilateral negotiations and upcoming discussions with Zelensky.
“Very productive time,” he said.
Witkoff hails progress in peace efforts
The US special envoy welcomed the resumption of trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the US, pointing to plans for another round of talks.
“I think progress was made today, yes,” Witkoff told reporters before departing Moscow following his meeting with Putin.
He noted that few had expected the trilateral format to resume in Abu Dhabi, but the negotiations did restart and another meeting has already been scheduled. “This is what President Trump wants to see,” he added.
Key positions on European security
Putin reaffirmed Moscow’s proposals for a new European security architecture, including an end to NATO expansion, restrictions on the deployment of weapons systems threatening Russia near its borders, and a return to the military bloc’s force configuration at the time of the 1997 Russia-NATO Founding Act, Ushakov said.
Moscow considers the existing European security system ineffective and is ready to begin talks with Washington on a new long-term arrangement, which it hopes European countries will also support, he added.
European governments have been seeking to join the negotiations but should decide whether they want peace or a continuation of the conflict, according to the Kremlin aide, who said that their actions so far suggest the latter.
Foreign troops in Ukraine would mean ‘endless war’
Plans by the European “coalition of the willing” to deploy foreign troops in Ukraine after the conflict would risk prolonging the fighting indefinitely, Ushakov said.
“This is a recipe for an endless war,” he said.
Zelensky unwilling to end conflict
Putin and the US envoys also discussed Vladimir Zelensky’s recent remarks about President Donald Trump.
According to Ushakov, Kiev is reluctant to end the conflict because a settlement would require new elections, potentially threatening Zelensky’s hold on power.
Major prisoner exchange
Moscow and Washington backed a proposal discussed during the Abu Dhabi negotiations for what could become a major prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.
The terms are still being negotiated, Ushakov said, expressing hope that Kiev would honor the agreement reached in principle.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that further work was needed to finalize the exchange, with the Russian Defense Ministry expected to provide details.
Russia and Ukraine have conducted 35 prisoner exchanges since 2025, involving approximately 5,000 people from each side, according to Ushakov.
Witkoff also commented on the planned prisoner exchange, telling reporters it would be completed “in short order” and describing it as the “largest in history.”
He added that European representatives would join the next round of negotiations, calling their participation “a very big deal.”
Putin-Trump talks in China
The Russian president and his US counterpart are expected to discuss the Ukraine settlement during the upcoming APEC summit in Shenzhen, according to Ushakov.
He said that Trump was personally involved in efforts to reach a lasting resolution to the conflict.
Both Moscow and Washington view the planned trilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as an important step, Ushakov said. Preparations are underway, with Moscow hoping the first meeting in this format will have a positive impact on international relations.
Europe’s actions contradict its calls for peace
European countries are pursuing policies that could prolong the Ukraine conflict despite their stated desire for peace, Peskov said. “They are moving towards continuing the war, expanding the war, but talking about peace.”
European leaders have yet to agree on who should represent them in negotiations, Peskov added, noting that those seeking direct contact with Moscow risked being ostracized by their counterparts.
What’s next?
Witkoff and Kushner are expected to meet Ukrainian and European representatives in Dublin following their talks in Moscow.
The Kremlin hopes the American negotiators will fully convey Moscow’s position to their Ukrainian and European counterparts, Ushakov said.
