Putin Expresses Gratitude to Trump for Facilitating Russia-Ukraine Contacts
17:46 12.11.2026 (Updated: 18:30 12.11.2026)
© Sputnik / Kristina Kormilitsyna
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was pleased to welcome US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow.
Putin asked them to convey his gratitude to US President Donald Trump for organizing contacts between Russia and Ukraine.
He also noted progress on the humanitarian track and said it was important for him to hear the US envoys' assessment of the recent talks in Abu Dhabi.
🚨Putin thanks Trump for facilitating Russia-Ukraine contacts During a Kremlin meeting with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Putin asked them to convey his gratitude to Trump for organising dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. He also noted progress on humanitarian issues and discussed the recent Abu Dhabi talks. https://t.co/xyYiZ7R7mZ
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Russian presidential aides Yuri Ushakov and Vladimir Medinsky, along with Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and the president's special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, are participating in Vladimir Putin's meeting with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Sputnik correspondent reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked US First Lady Melania Trump for her involvement in resolving the humanitarian issue surrounding Alyoshki, asking that his gratitude be conveyed to her. During the talks, Putin noted progress on humanitarian issues related to Ukraine.
Putin said Moscow was aware that Ukraine was raising the issue of so-called "gray zones" during discussions on a potential settlement. Putin stressed that Russia recognizes only the state border as the line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine, rejecting the concept of so-called "gray zones."
Putin proposed organizing a humanitarian mission in Konstantinovka based on the experience of cooperation with Ukraine in Alyoshki, and suggested instructing the Russian and Ukrainian ombudspersons to work together on its implementation.
Putin said Russia would need five days to clear the territory near Konstantinovka of mines, adding that if Ukraine considers the area under its control, it should ensure security on its side. He also stressed that Russia had never opposed or suspended dialogue with Europe, saying it was European countries that had halted contacts with Moscow.
Putin said he hoped peace in Ukraine would be lasting and permanent, while reiterating that Russia considers the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine unacceptable, arguing that their presence would threaten Russia's national security and make them legitimate targets for Russian armed forces. He added that Russia would like the United States to work with European countries and encourage them to decide whether they want peace or continued confrontation.
US President Donald Trump had proposed negotiations on a new security framework in Europe, but European countries had rejected the initiative, Putin said. He added that European leaders were aware of Moscow's position that deploying foreign troops in Ukraine was unacceptable to Russia, warning that such a move would mean the continuation of the war.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff described the recent trilateral talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi as constructive, saying all delegations worked effectively and the discussions took place in a positive atmosphere.
Witkoff said the upcoming prisoner exchange between Moscow and Kiev demonstrated progress toward a settlement. He also thanked Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky for his work in Abu Dhabi and his involvement in efforts to resolve the conflict since its beginning. The US envoy noted that European representatives were not present at the negotiating table in Abu Dhabi but had been kept informed about the trilateral contacts.
Witkoff also said he would brief Volodymyr Zelensky on the outcome of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
US presidential envoy Jared Kushner said he hoped the talks at the Kremlin would provide an opportunity to discuss ending the conflict in Ukraine and identifying a path toward a settlement.
Kushner noted that European countries had expressed a desire to participate in negotiations and help bring the conflict to an end. He also said the US had begun discussions with European partners on establishing a future security architecture for the continent.
