Kremlin Says Putin-Trump Envoy Talks Useful as Ukraine Peace Negotiations Continue

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said talks between Vladimir Putin and US envoys were useful, with American representatives backing a Russian proposal for a joint humanitarian mission in eastern Ukraine, as peace negotiations continue. The proposal concerns Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region, where Putin suggested a joint Russian-Ukrainian initiative for humanitarian aid and civilian evacuation, with Moscow saying it would need five days to clear landmines. Russia also reiterated its opposition to NATO expansion, and the talks followed two days of US-mediated trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi, which resumed direct dialogue after a nine-month break. While no breakthrough was achieved on the broader conflict, progress was announced towards a major prisoner-of-war exchange in coming weeks. US envoy Witkoff said another trilateral round was agreed with European participation, a shift from Moscow's earlier reservations, though significant differences remain over territorial demands and post-war security arrangements.