Putin calls Russia-US contacts 'beneficial' as Ukraine talks begin in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin opened negotiations on Ukraine with White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who arrived in Moscow on Saturday to revive the peace process. At the meeting's start, Putin conveyed "best wishes" and "words of gratitude" to President Donald Trump, acknowledging his difficult situation while praising his persistence in resolving the conflict. Putin called the contacts with American mediators "beneficial," citing high trust and comfortable working relations. The talks occur at the Grand Kremlin Palace with Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov and envoy Kirill Dmitriev present. The envoys arrived after noon amid Putin's busy schedule due to Moscow Day and upcoming legislative elections in two weeks.