US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, arrived in Moscow on 2/12 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their goal was to discuss measures to end the conflict in Ukraine. Before meeting Putin, the US delegation walked through Red Square, past Lenin's Mausoleum, and the Kremlin's spires.

Upon greeting the delegation, President Putin smiled and inquired about their walk. "This is a magnificent city," Witkoff replied. Sitting beside Putin were foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov and envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Both sides had interpreters present.

The meeting between President Putin and the US delegation (left) at the Kremlin on 2/12. Photo: AP

Russian media reported that the meeting concluded after nearly 5 hours. Speaking to reporters, Ushakov revealed that the two sides had not reached a compromise on the key issue of territory in Ukraine. However, he noted that some solutions proposed by the US side could be discussed.

"Some formulas proposed are not suitable for us, and work will continue," the official stated.

Ushakov explained that the initial US plan was divided into 4 parts, and both sides discussed this plan during the meeting.

"There are some points on which we can agree," the Russian official said, adding that President Putin "did not hide Moscow's critical, even negative, stance" toward certain proposals.

Ushakov described the exchange as "useful and constructive," despite the considerable work ahead for both sides. He also suggested that the positions between the two parties "did not become more divergent" after the meeting.

Russia and the US agreed not to disclose the core content of the latest negotiations, according to assistant Ushakov. Washington has not yet commented.

Last month, the US introduced a plan to end the Ukraine conflict and is seeking to persuade Moscow and Kiev to accept it. The initial proposal included 28 points, requiring Ukraine to cede some territory, accept limits on its military size, and cease pursuing NATO membership.

President Putin smiles during his exchange with the US delegation at the Kremlin on 2/12. Photo: AP

This draft met with opposition from Ukraine and European nations. Some terms were removed in an updated draft, but its content has not been released.

The US delegation's task during this visit to Russia was to present the new version of the proposal to President Putin, according to the AFP news agency.

Just before meeting the US delegation, President Putin accused European powers of hindering President Trump's efforts to end the Ukraine conflict. He claimed they were making proposals they knew were "unacceptable" to Moscow, thereby blaming Russia for not wanting peace.

Pham Giang (Reuters, AFP, RIA Novosti)