Putin meets Trump envoys in Moscow for three-hour talks on Ukraine war settlement

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow for over three hours to discuss war settlement paths, Russia's claimed battlefield successes, and potential major bilateral projects, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. Ushakov described the talks as substantive, constructive, and candid, covering serious issues both at the working table and informally over lunch. Putin emphasized Russia's military achievements and confidence in reaching its goals, while Witkoff and Kushner pledged to convey Putin's assessments to Kyiv. The envoys presented their own settlement proposals, and both sides agreed to continue personal contacts and work through Witkoff and Kushner. Journalists Barak Ravid and Steve Holland reported that the delegation included National Security Council, State Department, and Treasury officials, with acting sanctions chief Jin Lang joining preparatory meetings but not the Putin session. Both sides discussed concrete next steps expected to be announced in coming weeks, with further meetings planned in Ukraine on September 6.