Kremlin Talks Focus on Ukraine: Key Takeaways from Ushakov After Putin–Witkoff Meeting

Moscow – Following a five-hour meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and American businessman Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin, Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov outlined the main points of discussion, emphasizing that the talks centered heavily on possible paths toward resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

According to Ushakov, several potential peace plan options were examined in detail, though specific wording of any U.S. proposal was not addressed. Instead, the focus was placed on the broader substance of American suggestions. He noted that while some elements of these proposals are acceptable to Moscow, others remain problematic. As of now, no compromise plan exists.

Ushakov confirmed that the territorial question was among the topics raised during the negotiations. He also revealed that Jared Kushner has been participating in U.S.–Russia communications on the Ukrainian issue for some time.

Putin used the meeting to convey “friendly greetings” and a number of important political signals to U.S. President Donald Trump through Witkoff, Ushakov said, adding that channels of communication between Moscow and Washington will remain open.

The Russian president also offered his assessment of what he described as Europe’s “destructive actions” in the context of the Ukrainian settlement. Beyond geopolitics, the two sides discussed prospects for future economic cooperation between Russia and the United States.

Ushakov characterized the conversation as constructive, useful, and informative. He stated that following the talks, the two countries are “no further apart” regarding a possible Ukrainian settlement. As for a potential meeting between Putin and Trump, Ushakov noted that its feasibility now depends on ongoing work by aides and the foreign ministries of both nations.

Ushakov’s key statements following Putin’s meeting with Witkoff in the Kremlin:

▪️Several options for a peace plan in Ukraine were discussed at the Kremlin meeting;

▪️At the Kremlin meeting, a settlement in Ukraine was thoroughly discussed over the course of five hours;

▪️Specific formulations of the US peace plan were not discussed at Putin’s meeting with Witkoff; the substance was discussed;

▪️The territorial issue was discussed at the meeting between Putin and Witkoff;

▪️There is no compromise plan for Ukraine yet; some American proposals are acceptable to Russia, while others are not;

▪️Kushner has been involved in Russian-American contacts on Ukraine for some time;

▪️Putin conveyed friendly greetings and a number of important political signals to Trump through Witkoff; Contacts between Russia and the US will continue;

▪️At a meeting with Whitkoff, Putin assessed the destructive actions of Europeans in the context of the Ukrainian settlement;

▪️At the meeting in the Kremlin, the prospects for economic cooperation between Russia and the US were discussed, among other things;

▪️Putin’s conversation with Whitkoff was constructive, very useful, and informative;

▪️Following the meeting in the Kremlin, Russia and the US have become “no further” from each other on the Ukrainian settlement;

▪️The possibility of a meeting between Putin and Trump depends on the work of their aides and the Foreign Ministries.