Russian President Vladimir Putin's talks with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin have concluded, lasting approximately 2.5 hours, according to a Sputnik correspondent reporting on Thursday. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, and Russian special presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries Kirill Dmitriev also took part in the meeting. US envoys left the Kremlin Thursday afternoon, according to AFP.

The discussions covered humanitarian cooperation, European security and the future of foreign military involvement in Ukraine. Putin reiterated Moscow's opposition to deploying foreign troops in Ukraine, warning that their presence would threaten Russia's national security and prolong the conflict. He also proposed a humanitarian mission in Konstantinovka to evacuate civilians, involving the ombudsmen of both countries and foreign journalists.S1

Witkoff described the Abu Dhabi talks as constructive, pointing to an upcoming prisoner exchange as evidence of progress. Kushner confirmed that Washington had begun discussions with European governments on the continent's future security architecture.S1