NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and advisor, Jared Kushner, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Saturday, as part of a weekend journey that will take them to Kyiv on Sunday in an effort to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Witkoff and Kushner met with Putin for more than three hours behind closed doors, The Associated Press reported, and concluded without any breakthroughs.
The AP said Putin’s foreign policy advisor, Yuri Ushakov, called the talks constructive, frank and useful.
“Today, Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to advance President Trump’s agenda of peace in the Russia-Ukraine War. They were joined by officials from the National Security Council, State Department, and Treasury Department to discuss proposals to bring peace to this conflict,” a White House official said after Saturday’s talks. “The American delegation also thanked President Putin for releasing former United States Marine Robert Gilman from Russian custody out of respect for President Trump.
“The two sides discussed substantive plans for next steps, which will be announced in the coming weeks, and look forward to equally productive meetings tomorrow in Ukraine.”
TRUMP ANNOUNCES SURPRISE THREE-DAY CEASEFIRE IN RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
On Friday, Trump addressed Saturday’s anticipated visit with reporters.
“We have an idea for peace. I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators,” he said. “They’ve done a great job, and we sent them over to see whether or not we can get something done. And there may be a good chance that we’ll do it.”
Kushner and Witkoff visited Russia first on Saturday, and were greeted by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev shortly after landing in Moscow.
Kushner and Witkoff will be Kyiv on Sunday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said Ukraine will work to keep Russian airspace safe during the Americans’ visit.
CIA DIRECTOR JOHN RATCLIFFE MET WITH RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS IN VISIT TO MOSCOW, KREMLIN SAYS
“Just as we did during previous diplomatic visits by the American side, we will ensure the normal functioning of Russian airspace so that the negotiators can arrive safely. We are looking out for them, not for Russia. There will be no air strikes from our side, and Russia must do the same, ensuring there are no air strikes from its side for the time needed to hold these talks and handle the logistical matters related to this American visit,” Zelenskyy wrote.
“Our goal is to make the visit and the talks with the U.S. side as constructive and substantive as possible. We need to look for real options for how to move this war toward an end. We will see what proposals Steve and Jared bring and what they are told in Moscow in response.”
ZELENSKYY CONGRATULATES TRUMP ON TURNING 80 IN BIRTHDAY CALL, VOWS MORE UKRAINE PEACE TALKS AT G7 ON TUESDAY
Zelenskyy, in a subsequent Saturday morning post on X, said he had already communicated with Witkoff and Kushner ahead of their planned Sunday meeting.
“I have just spoken with the U.S. President’s envoys. They have already begun working with the Russian side today. From the moment of this conversation, we are ready to observe a ceasefire in airstrikes against the cities involved in the negotiation process. From now through the end of Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow, and we expect the Russians to do the same regarding Kyiv,” Zelenskyy wrote.
“Today, I also received reports from Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi on the situation at the front, the dynamics of threats in Ukraine’s airspace, our steps, and active defensive operations. I am grateful to every one of our warriors for effectively defending Ukraine’s positions,” Zelenskyy’s post continued.
“On the diplomatic track, our actions must be, and will be, just as strong and effective – one hundred percent. The plan for tomorrow’s diplomatic engagements in Kyiv, involving the U.S. team, has been approved. We are waiting for Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and are ready for a substantive conversation. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine!”
PUTIN UNLEASHES NEW FURY ON UKRAINE AS REPORT EXPOSES FEAR HANGING OVER WAR’S END
Zelenskyy’s message Friday came the same day a Russian drone strike targeted the Security Service of Ukraine’s headquarters in Ukraine, Zelenskyy wrote in a public message on the app Telegram.
Zelenskyy alleged the strike directly targeted the head of the Security Service’s office.
He also wrote that he was directing the head, Oleksandr Poklad, to prepare a retaliatory strike.
“I gave Poklad the task of adequately, noticeably and, if possible, mirroring the Russians’ response to this attack, when everything is prepared. Our military will support this response. Glory to Ukraine!” Zelenskyy wrote.
At least nine people were injured in the explosion, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko also wrote on Telegram.
RUSSIA’S STRIKES NEAR MOLDOVA RAISE ALARM OVER PUTIN’S PLANS FOR EUROPE’S EASTERN FLANK
The visit also comes just one day after German officials formally accused Russia of attempting an explosive drone attack on a major airport in Germany.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“The attack on the aircraft in Leipzig was concrete; it could have triggered a catastrophe had it succeeded. The attacker was, at most, covert, but even here there is now certainty: The German government has named Russia as the mastermind. Patterns of attack, police investigations, and intelligence findings prove Russian responsibility for the drone attack,” Stefan Kornelius, a spokesperson for the German federal government, wrote Friday.
Fox News Digital contacted the White House and the foreign ministries for Russia, Ukraine and Germany for further comment.
Read the full article here
