Trump Envoys’ Moscow Meeting Raises Doubts About Ukraine Ceasefire Prospects

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and former senior adviser Jared Kushner spent three hours with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on a Saturday. During the encounter, Witkoff placed his hand on his heart and thanked Putin, while Putin remarked, ““The situation is difficult… you have been enjoying our full trust and it has been quite convenient to work with you,” — Vladimir Putin, met russian president” and pledged to The talks concluded without any public indication of a breakthrough, even as the White House said the discussions produced “substantive plans for next steps” to be disclosed in the coming weeks.

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The meeting came as the United States faces two unresolved conflicts: Russia’s war in Ukraine and the lingering war with Iran. Trump has repeatedly claimed that, if re-elected, he could end the Ukraine war within days, citing his relationship with Putin. Ukrainian journalists reported that Putin’s description of a military pause was scheduled to be backdated to midnight on September 5, a full 24 hours earlier than Kyiv’s understanding of the cease-fire timeline. They also said Moscow launched attacks on Ukrainian airports after the agreement, including the airfield where the U.S. team was expected to land.

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Putin’s comments framed the situation as “difficult” and suggested continued U.S. engagement would be “convenient.” The White House described the talks as yielding “substantive plans for next steps,” but no concrete outcomes were announced. Ukrainian officials have expressed skepticism, noting the back-dated pause and subsequent attacks as violations of the truce.

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• “The situation is difficult… you have been enjoying our full trust and it has been quite convenient to work with you,” — Vladimir Putin, met russian president” — Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

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• “Perhaps the Russian leader meant both, knowing that he and America’s voters are equally likely to give Trump short shrift in the days and weeks ahead,” — Simon Marks, correspondent” — Simon Marks, correspondent

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