Kushner reports 'encouraging progress' in Ukraine talks after Witkoff meets Putin
In short
Jared Kushner said on X on 21 October that encouraging progress had been made over the past few days in talks on Ukraine. Russian outlets linked this to talks in Oslo and to Steve Witkoff's meeting with Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.
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Jared Kushner said that encouraging progress had been achieved in talks on Ukraine over the past few days. Russian outlets reported the statement on the evening of 21 October, citing his post on X. RIA Novosti linked it to talks in Oslo and St Petersburg. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
According to RIA Novosti, Kushner wrote that he and Steve Witkoff were grateful to President Donald Trump for his leadership, and to their Ukrainian, European and Russian colleagues for constructive cooperation. Interfax quoted him as adding that hard work lies ahead, but that there is a real opportunity to leave this war behind and lay the foundation of lasting peace, security and prosperity for coming generations. [ 2 , 3 ]
RIA Novosti reported that Vladimir Putin's talks with the US special envoy had ended in St Petersburg. Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, head of RFPI (РФПИ) and the president's special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, also took part for the Russian side. [ 2 ]
Vedomosti reported that Witkoff met Putin on 21 October and brought documents with proposals on a Ukraine settlement, developed from contacts in Oslo. Dmitry Peskov said the Russian leader would study and assess the initiatives. During the talks Putin said Russia was ready for a three-party meeting on a peaceful settlement, and Ushakov said it could take place in the tenth days of November. [ 5 ]
After the talks with Putin, Witkoff went to Oslo to continue consultations on Ukraine, Vedomosti reported. It quoted Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre as saying he expected to receive information on the results of the US envoy's meeting with the Russian side. [ 5 ]
The outlets describe Kushner differently. RIA Novosti and Vedomosti call him the son-in-law of the US president, while Interfax calls him a special envoy of the US president. None of the documents says what the reported progress consists of. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The statement, reported by all five outlets, signals that the US side sees movement in the talks. Vedomosti reports that Putin said Russia is ready for a three-party meeting, but the documents do not say what the progress consists of or whether proposals were accepted.
Key facts
- Jared Kushner wrote on X that encouraging progress had been achieved over the past few days in talks on Ukraine. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Kushner thanked President Donald Trump for his leadership and Ukrainian, European and Russian colleagues for constructive cooperation, according to RIA Novosti. [ 2 ]
- Kushner also wrote that hard work lies ahead but there is a real chance to leave the war behind and lay a foundation for lasting peace, security and prosperity, Interfax reported. [ 3 ]
- Putin held talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on 21 October; Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev also took part for the Russian side. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Vedomosti reported that Witkoff brought documents with proposals developed in contacts in Oslo, and that Putin said Russia is ready for a three-party meeting. [ 5 ]
- Ushakov said such a meeting could take place in the tenth days of November, according to Vedomosti. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- What the progress consists of. The outlets quote Kushner's general statement and give no details of what was agreed.
- How Russia will respond to the proposals Witkoff brought. Vedomosti cites Peskov saying Putin will study and assess them; no response is reported.
- When a three-party meeting would be held. Only Vedomosti reports Ushakov's estimate of the tenth days of November, and he said it 'may' take place.
- Kushner's role. RIA Novosti and Vedomosti call him the son-in-law of the US president, while Interfax calls him a special envoy of the US president.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS publishes Kushner's statement on encouraging progress. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reports the statement and says Putin's talks with the US envoy in St Petersburg had ended. [ 2 ]
- Interfax publishes Kushner's X post with his remarks on hard work ahead. [ 3 ]
- RBC reports Kushner's statement. [ 4 ]
- Vedomosti reports the statement and details of the Putin-Witkoff meeting and Witkoff's trip to Oslo. [ 5 ]