Kushner and Witkoff meet Putin in Moscow to discuss Ukraine peace talks

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday to discuss European participation in Ukraine peace talks, following negotiations in Abu Dhabi. Putin proposed a "humanitarian" mission for the frontline city of Kostjantyniwka. Putin claimed Russia never opposed talks with Europeans but said the US should work with them to decide whether they want war or peace, demanding Europeans appoint a negotiator. Military expert Gustav Gressel said Russia actually wants to secure better economic conditions for continuing the war, not genuine European involvement. The talks follow the first Russia-Ukraine negotiations since February in Abu Dhabi, which yielded only a prisoner exchange agreement. Key sticking points include European security architecture, Ukrainian territory, security guarantees, and sequencing of steps toward any agreement.