MOSCOW, November 13, 2026: Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, with discussions covering humanitarian operations, European security arrangements and a proposed large-scale prisoner exchange.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, in a statement issued on November 12, described the Kremlin meeting as constructive and productive, saying both sides agreed to continue diplomatic contacts ahead of a planned meeting between Putin and US President Donald Trump in China.
According to Ushakov, the American representatives supported Putin’s proposal to explore a humanitarian operation in Kostiantynivka, a city near the front line in eastern Ukraine, using an approach Russia said had previously been applied in another conflict-affected area.
He said Moscow was prepared to begin mine clearance and invite journalists from Ukraine, Europe and the United States to observe the proposed operation once preparations were completed.
The Russian official also said Putin had expressed support for discussions on a new European security framework that would address the security concerns of both Russia and Ukraine following a potential settlement.
Moscow reiterated its longstanding demands concerning NATO expansion, military deployments near Russian borders and European security arrangements, referring to proposals it submitted to the United States and NATO in 2021.
Ushakov criticised European proposals to deploy troops in Ukraine after a ceasefire or peace agreement, arguing that such arrangements could prolong the conflict. These remarks reflected Moscow’s position rather than an agreed outcome of the negotiations.
The talks also covered recent diplomatic contacts in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11. Ushakov said both Moscow and Washington considered those discussions constructive and supported continued negotiations.
A proposed prisoner exchange was among the issues discussed, with Russian officials expressing hope that it could become the largest exchange between the two sides. The terms and arrangements were still being finalised.
Ushakov said the American envoys were expected to hold further meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European representatives in Dublin.
He added that preparations were underway for a proposed trilateral summit involving Russia, the United States and China in Shenzhen, where further discussions on the Ukraine conflict were expected.
The account was provided by the Kremlin, and the reported positions of the American representatives and details of the proposed agreements were not independently confirmed in the supplied statement.