**Russia’s Putin Meets US Envoys to Discuss Trump Proposal to End Ukraine War**
Moscow, Russia - On September 5, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in discussions with United States envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the Kremlin, focusing on a proposal to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for over four years. The meeting marks a significant diplomatic effort aimed at addressing one of Europe’s most severe conflicts since World War II.
The talks took place just ahead of the envoys' planned visit to Kyiv, scheduled for Sunday. Witkoff serves as President Donald Trump’s special envoy, while Kushner is Trump’s son-in-law and a prominent business associate. During the meeting, Putin welcomed the two men warmly, acknowledging the complexities of the situation in Ukraine.
"Dear colleagues, I warmly welcome you to Moscow. The situation is, of course, not simple," Putin stated in a grand hall at the Kremlin, as captured in footage broadcasted by Russian state media.
Trump had previously indicated that Kushner and Witkoff were tasked with delivering a proposal aimed at ending the war. In his opening remarks, Putin expressed gratitude towards Trump, stating, “I would like to ask everyone to convey their best wishes and words of gratitude to US President Mr. Trump.” Witkoff reciprocated by conveying Trump’s best wishes to Putin and thanked him for agreeing to a limited ceasefire during the delegation's visit.
As part of the negotiations, both Russia and Ukraine committed to refraining from striking each other’s capitals for a three-day period. This ceasefire is seen as a crucial step in facilitating dialogue and reducing civilian casualties, which have escalated during the summer months of the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian officials reported that Russian strikes on Saturday resulted in the deaths of at least seven individuals, including casualties in the suburbs of Kyiv.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin had ordered a halt to strikes on Kyiv starting at midnight on Saturday. In a reciprocal gesture, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine would also refrain from launching attacks on Moscow during the same period. Zelensky stated, "From now through the end of Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow," in a social media post following his conversation with the US envoys.
The upcoming visit to Kyiv marks the first time that Witkoff and Kushner will travel to the Ukrainian capital since Trump regained office last year, during which he pledged to work towards resolving the conflict. The discussions in Moscow represent a renewed effort by the US to mediate in the conflict, which began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
As the situation continues to evolve, both sides appear to be taking cautious steps towards diplomacy, with the hope that these talks may pave the way for a lasting resolution to the war that has caused significant humanitarian distress and geopolitical tension in the region.