Putin meets US envoys for three hours on Ukraine war and economic ties

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Saturday for a three-hour discussion on ending the war in Ukraine and US-Russia economic cooperation. The meeting began with a business lunch attended by sanctions policy chief Gene Lange, suggesting talks covered potential easing of restrictions. Putin praised the envoys as reliable partners, while noting Russia's military goals remain unmet. Both sides agreed to pause strikes on Kyiv and Moscow over the weekend. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov called the talks substantive and honest. Witkoff and Kushner pledged to deliver Putin's messages to Kyiv. Russia maintains its demands for territorial concessions and leadership change in Ukraine, while Kyiv proposes a mutual ceasefire without recognizing occupied territories.