Russian President Vladimir Putin held late-night talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as Washington renewed its efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine.
The meeting took place at the Kremlin in Moscow on Saturday and lasted for more than three hours.
The American representatives left the Kremlin late in the evening after discussions with Putin.
Russian officials described the talks as constructive, substantive and candid.
But there was no immediate announcement of a breakthrough.
The discussions form part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to restart negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
The diplomatic push comes after months of fighting and stalled peace efforts.
Moscow and Kyiv remain divided over territory, security arrangements and the future political relationship between Ukraine and Russia.
Russia continues to demand concessions from Ukraine, while Kyiv has rejected any settlement requiring it to surrender territory.
The talks also took place against the backdrop of continued attacks.
Russia announced that it would temporarily suspend attacks on Kyiv, while Zelenskyy said Ukraine would similarly refrain from attacking Moscow.
The limited arrangement was connected to the visit of the American envoys.
Witkoff and Kushner were expected to travel to Kyiv after leaving Moscow.
Their discussions with Zelenskyy could provide Washington with a direct assessment of Ukraine’s position following the talks with Putin.
The Kremlin said the US delegation brought a number of ideas for ending the conflict.
Putin reportedly outlined Moscow’s assessment of the situation and its conditions for resolving the war.
The American delegation’s mission is significant because Washington is attempting to communicate with both sides directly.
However, the length of the meeting does not necessarily indicate that the sides reached agreement.
No comprehensive ceasefire or peace settlement was announced after the talks.
The next phase of the diplomatic effort will depend on the discussions in Kyiv and whether Washington can narrow the gap between Moscow and Kyiv.
Until then, military operations continue despite renewed diplomatic contacts.
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