Kremlin calls talks with US envoys constructive as Putin praises Trump's peace efforts

The Kremlin described talks between President Vladimir Putin and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as constructive, substantive, and trusting, following a long pause in such negotiations. The meeting, focused on ending the Ukraine conflict, lasted over three hours. Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin reaffirmed his confidence in achieving his war goals, highlighting Russian army advances. Moscow stressed the need to address what it calls the conflict's root causes, including Ukraine's treatment of the Russian language. No new proposals were disclosed. The US envoys will now travel to Kyiv to present the Russian position to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Putin pledged to avoid air strikes on Kyiv during a three-day ceasefire for their visit, though Zelenskyy accused Russia of striking Kyiv airports beforehand.