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Trump and Putin discussed Ukraine settlement amid ongoing strikes

US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks in Moscow and Kyiv in early September, and Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin discussed a settlement by phone. Against the backdrop of these contacts, Russian forces launched a massive strike on Kyiv after a three-day pause.

8 events in story8 sourcesVerified · 15/22 claims supported
Trump and Putin discussed Ukraine settlement amid ongoing strikes
Photo: Asia-Plus

Sources

· 8

Key points

  • US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow and with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
  • Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held a phone call on September 9, after which the Kremlin announced political will to resume trilateral talks.
  • Russia launched a massive strike on Kyiv after a three-day pause: at least two people were killed and at least seven wounded.
  • Witkoff reported substantial progress, but the sides retain fundamental disagreements over territories and security guarantees.
  • Russia will be ready for new talks with Ukraine after September 20, after the Duma elections, the Élysée Palace said.

Why it matters

The sides called the discussion substantive, but fundamental disagreements remain over territories and security guarantees. Before the Kyiv talks, Vladimir Putin told the US envoys in Moscow about Russia's notable successes on the battlefield. The Witkoff and Kushner talks did not bring tangible progress toward peace, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the strike on Kyiv and called on allies to step up pressure on Russia.

What changed

As early as September 3, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that US special representatives had confirmed one meeting in Moscow and one in Kyiv. On September 5, US President Donald Trump said that Witkoff and Kushner would present a settlement proposal in Moscow, describing it as not new. After those statements, Witkoff and Kushner met with Putin in Moscow and with Zelenskyy in Kyiv, and on September 9 Trump and Putin held a phone call.

What to watch

The Élysée Palace said that Russia will be ready for new talks with Ukraine after September 20, after the Duma elections. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow does not rule out resuming the trilateral format, and the United States intends to return to it.

What's Next

After September 20, Russia will be ready for new talks with Ukraine, the Élysée Palace said.

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