MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has held more than three hours of talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow as Washington launched a fresh diplomatic push to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The high-stakes meeting came as the conflict entered its fifth year, with Russia and Ukraine continuing long-range attacks despite renewed efforts to find a path toward negotiations.

Putin met Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, and Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, at the Kremlin on Saturday, Sept. 5, where the three discussed possible ways to break the deadlock over the war.

The Kremlin later described the talks as “highly useful,” but no breakthrough or agreement was announced.

Putin Says Russia Ready to Explain Its Position

At the start of the meeting, Putin told the US delegation that Moscow was prepared to explain how it viewed the current situation surrounding Ukraine, which he described as difficult.

Witkoff said he had been looking forward to the talks.

According to Reuters, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the American envoys presented several ideas on possible avenues toward a settlement, although neither Moscow nor Washington publicly disclosed the full details of those proposals.

That means one of the most important questions remains unanswered:

What exactly is Washington offering — and how much are Russia and Ukraine willing to accept?

Trump Pushes for a Way Out of the Deadlock

Before the Moscow meeting, Trump said Witkoff would take a US proposal aimed at ending the conflict to the Russian side.

The latest diplomatic effort follows months of stalled attempts to bring Moscow and Kyiv closer to a negotiated settlement.

The US delegation’s trip to Moscow was intended to test whether there was enough common ground to restart more serious negotiations.

But the divide between Russia and Ukraine remains deep.

Moscow continues to demand concessions that Kyiv has rejected, particularly over territory and Ukraine’s future security arrangements.

More Than Three Hours of Talks — But No Breakthrough

The Kremlin said Putin’s meeting with Witkoff and Kushner lasted more than three hours.

Russian officials described the discussions as useful and frank, but stopped short of claiming that a major breakthrough had been achieved.

Ushakov said the Americans had come prepared and presented several ideas for resolving the conflict.

However, the most difficult issues remain unresolved.

Among the central obstacles are territorial control and security guarantees.

Ukraine has consistently rejected Russian demands that it surrender territory or accept conditions Kyiv considers incompatible with its sovereignty.

From Moscow Straight to Kyiv

The diplomatic mission did not end in Russia.

After meeting Putin, Witkoff and Kushner travelled to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Their visit marked their first official trip to Ukraine in their current roles and formed part of Washington’s attempt to hear directly from both sides.

Zelenskyy described the discussions with the US envoys as substantive, while the American representatives expressed optimism that new negotiations could be announced.

But once again, there was no immediate peace agreement.

The message from both Moscow and Kyiv was that diplomacy was continuing — not that the war was ending.

Witkoff Hopes New Talks Could Come Soon

Following the meetings in Moscow and Kyiv, Witkoff said he hoped fresh talks involving the United States, Ukraine and European partners could be announced soon.

Reuters reported that the US envoys said they had heard new ideas and saw potential for renewed negotiations.

Ukraine, meanwhile, stressed that security guarantees and territorial questions would remain critical.

Those issues could ultimately determine whether the latest diplomatic push succeeds or joins a long list of failed attempts to end the war.

The Donbas Remains One of the Biggest Obstacles

Any peace effort faces the same fundamental problem:

What happens to the territory Russia controls — and the territory it still wants?

Reuters reported that the future of the Donbas region remains one of the central points of disagreement.

Russia has maintained demands involving Ukrainian territory and security policy.

Ukraine has rejected demands it considers equivalent to surrender.

As a result, even if Washington succeeds in bringing both sides back to the negotiating table, reaching an agreement could prove extraordinarily difficult.

War Continues Despite Peace Push

The renewed diplomacy is unfolding while fighting continues.

Russia and Ukraine have both intensified long-range attacks, including strikes involving drones and missiles.

Reuters reported continued attacks and counterattacks even as US envoys travelled between Moscow and Kyiv.

Ukraine has also sought additional air-defence and energy support as the country prepares for another winter under the threat of Russian attacks.

That contrast underlines the enormous challenge facing the negotiators.

Diplomacy is moving forward.

But the war has not stopped.

Why Jared Kushner’s Role Is Drawing Attention

Kushner’s presence alongside Witkoff has added another high-profile figure to Trump’s diplomatic effort.

As Trump’s son-in-law and a former senior White House adviser, Kushner has previously been involved in major diplomatic initiatives.

His participation signals the importance the Trump administration is placing on the latest attempt to find a negotiated settlement.

The Kremlin confirmed that Kushner took part in the Moscow meeting, while Reuters reported that both envoys travelled together to Kyiv after their talks with Putin.

A Small Opening — or Another Dead End?

For now, neither Washington, Moscow nor Kyiv has announced a peace breakthrough.

But the sequence of meetings has created a new diplomatic channel:

Moscow.

Kyiv.

Washington.

And potentially new talks involving European partners.

The Kremlin says the Moscow meeting was useful.

Ukraine described the discussions with the US delegation as substantive.

And the American envoys say they hope another round of negotiations can be announced soon.

Yet the hardest questions remain unanswered.

Who gives up what?

Who guarantees Ukraine’s security?

What happens to disputed territory?

And can either side accept a compromise without claiming defeat?

The War Is Still in Its Fifth Year

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

More than four years later, the conflict remains one of the world’s most consequential wars.

The battlefield has changed.

The political landscape has changed.

And multiple rounds of diplomacy have failed to produce a lasting peace.

Now, Witkoff and Kushner’s meetings with both Putin and Zelenskyy represent another attempt to break through the impasse.

But officials on all sides remain cautious.

The World Is Watching What Happens Next

The Moscow meeting produced no public peace deal.

The Kyiv meeting produced no breakthrough.

But something may have changed.

For the first time in this latest push, US envoys have carried proposals directly from Washington to Moscow — and then continued on to Kyiv to discuss the next steps.

Whether those conversations can eventually bring Russia and Ukraine into meaningful negotiations remains uncertain.

For now, Putin has heard Washington’s ideas.

Zelenskyy has heard from the same US delegation.

And the diplomats are signalling that more talks could be coming.

The peace process may be moving again.

But the war is still raging.

And until Moscow and Kyiv can bridge the enormous divide over territory, security and the future of Ukraine, the biggest question remains:

Is this the beginning of a breakthrough — or just another meeting before the next round of fighting?

WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D