Putin Ready to Meet U.S. Envoys Over Ukraine Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to meet with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Russia to discuss the conflict in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced the opening for dialogue but noted that the outcome depends on the specific proposals the envoys present.

Russia has explicitly rejected a proposal from Ukraine to halt the war along existing front lines to facilitate peace talks. Lavrov insisted that any cessation of hostilities must be part of a long-term, reliable, and sustainable settlement.

This diplomatic movement follows a summit in Anchorage, Alaska, between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. While Moscow suggests the spirit of that meeting should be honored, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that any agreement was reached during the Alaska summit.

Simultaneously, Moscow has submitted inquiries to the United States regarding Washington's intelligence sharing with Kyiv and its alleged involvement in Ukrainian strikes conducted within Russian territory.