Moscow, Russia – The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin held “constructive” talks with US Special Envoy Steve Witkov in Moscow during which they discussed the conflict in Ukraine, after a 3-hour meeting.
Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s advisor, told reporters that “very useful and constructive conversations” had been tried with Witkov, adding that Ukraine and Russian-American strategic cooperation had been discussed.
According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, Ushakov confirmed that during the meeting with Witkov, Putin conveyed to his American counterpart, Donald Trump, “some messages regarding the Ukrainian file”.
“For our part, some signals have been conveyed, particularly regarding the Ukrainian file, and we have received corresponding signals from President Trump,” Ushakov said.
Days before Trump’s deadline expires
The meeting between Putin and Witkov in Moscow comes before the deadline set by Trump for Russia to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine expires, otherwise it may face harsh economic sanctions that countries that buy Russian oil may also be exposed to.
The negotiations did not result in any progress in ending the three-year war.
The deadline set by Trump for Putin expires the day after tomorrow, Friday.