🔻The White House described negotiations between senior envoys of U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, as “important and serious.” The talks are being held in Moscow in order to end the war.

According to the White House, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner discussed with Mr. Putin in Moscow “specific proposals for the next steps.” Details of these proposals have not yet been announced.

Earlier, Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Mr. Putin, had described his three-hour talks with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as “direct and candid.”

Mr. Ushakov said that Mr. Putin emphasized the necessity of eliminating all of the main roots of the conflict. These remarks indicate that he has not backed down from his maximal demands.

Mr. Ushakov also said that the two sides discussed the likelihood of carrying out major joint projects between Russia and the United States.

Mr. Witkoff and Mr. Kushner are now heading to Kyiv so that, by Sunday, they can hold talks with Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine.

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