Russia claims progress in Ukraine talks as US envoy meets Putin

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has entered its fourth year as Russia and the United States meet with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss efforts to end the war. The Kremlin said the two sides’ positions on the crisis have become closer, with Witkoff emerging as a key interlocutor as Trump pushes for a peace deal. The meeting included Russian Foreign Policy Aid Yuri Ushakov, who described it as constructive and focused on resuming direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, a development since the pause in talks following the invasion in February 2022.