Putin meets US envoys in Moscow to discuss Ukraine peace efforts

On November 12, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin to discuss potential peace agreements regarding the conflict in Ukraine. During the talks, Putin proposed a joint Russian-Ukrainian humanitarian mission in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, modeled after a recent operation in Oleshky. He noted that the mission would require a five-day demining process to proceed safely.

US envoys emphasized the importance of including European nations in future negotiations to ensure regional security, an initiative the US has been pushing despite initial Russian reservations. While Kremlin advisor Yury Ushakov signaled a cautious stance, confirming that Russia reiterated its opposition to further NATO expansion, the US delegation described the talks as productive and announced that a new round of trilateral discussions, including European representatives, is being planned. Following the Moscow meeting, Witkoff and Kushner departed for Dublin to brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the progress made.

President Putin is scheduled to continue these discussions with US President Donald Trump later this month on the sidelines of the APEC summit in China. This series of meetings marks the official resumption of direct peace negotiations after a nine-month hiatus, reflecting a shift toward multilateral engagement in efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis.