Kremlin says Ukraine talks with US envoys were useful; no sign of breakthrough - Reuters

**Kremlin Says Ukraine Talks With U.S. Envoys Were Useful, but No Breakthrough Achieved**

Moscow confirmed on Tuesday that a delegation of U.S. envoys, led by senior advisers Robert Witkoff and former White House chief of staff Jared Kushner, met with President Vladimir Putin to discuss the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin described the three‑hour dialogue as “useful” and noted that both sides exchanged “views on possible avenues for de‑escalation,” but it stopped short of claiming any substantive progress. The meeting, which took place in the Kremlin’s historic Hall of Foreign Relations, was the latest in a series of high‑level contacts after President Joe Biden’s administration signaled willingness to explore a negotiated settlement.

During the talks, Putin announced a temporary 72‑hour suspension of Russian strikes on Kyiv, framing it as a humanitarian gesture in response to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent cease‑fire proposal. The pause, however, was presented as a unilateral decision rather than a reciprocal step, and the Kremlin emphasized that it was contingent on “no further provocations” from Kyiv. Ukrainian officials welcomed the short‑term truce but warned that a three‑day halt would not suffice to address the broader demands for a durable cease‑fire and a roadmap to peace. Both parties left the Kremlin without a formal agreement, and the Russian foreign ministry reiterated that “there is still no sign of a breakthrough” in the negotiations.

Analysts say the encounter underscores the fragility of diplomatic overtures amid ongoing hostilities. While the pause may provide a brief window for humanitarian aid and civilian relief in the capital, the absence of a concrete framework for a lasting settlement suggests that substantive talks remain stalled. International observers, including the European Union and the United Nations, have called for sustained engagement and confidence‑building measures, warning that without a clear path forward, the conflict risks further escalation once the temporary cease‑fire expires.