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US envoys discuss Ukraine peace with Putin
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
US envoys Witkoff and Kushner met Putin in Moscow on Saturday to discuss ending the Ukraine.
The talks produced substantive plans, but a breakthrough remains elusive amid stalled peace efforts.
Background
The US has been trying to broker peace in the Russia-Ukraine war, which has stalled partly due to Washington's conflict with Iran. Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities, exploiting Ukraine's shortage of air defenses. Both sides agreed to a temporary halt in strikes on each other's capitals during the envoys' visit.
How it unfolded
- Sep 4, 2026Trump announced that Witkoff and Kushner would travel to Russia and Ukraine to present a peace proposal.
- Sep 5, 2026Putin met with the envoys at the Kremlin, expressing gratitude to Trump and discussing 'substantive plans' for next steps.
- Sep 6, 2026Both Russia and Ukraine agreed to a three-day halt in strikes on each other's capitals. The envoys were expected to travel to Kyiv for further talks.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- White House official said the envoys discussed 'substantive plans' and look forward to 'equally productive meetings' in Ukraine.
- Official
- Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said 'a whole series of ideas for a peace settlement' had been formulated.
- Public
- Zelensky said he was ready for 'a substantive conversation' and promised Ukraine would refrain from strikes on Moscow during the talks.
Still unverified
The specific details of the 'substantive plans' have not been publicly disclosed.