Kathmandu— Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin on Saturday for renewed talks on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. The meeting, lasting more than three hours, ended without any significant announcements. Both sides agreed to a temporary ceasefire of strikes on each other’s capitals during the talks. The discussions come amid escalating aerial attacks and a stalled peace process.

Meeting Details

Both U.S. envoys were met at the airport in Moscow by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who shared photos of the meeting with the U.S. delegation. Ushakov highlighted that the conversation was not solely focused on Russia’s invasion, but also included economic issues and potentially large, mutually beneficial joint projects for Russia and America.

Escalating Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy linked the Russian strikes to the planned U.S. visit, stating that the attacks on Kyiv and Boryspil international airports were a reaction to the discussions and preparations for the possibility of the U.S. side using an aircraft to travel to Ukraine. Zelenskyy also mentioned that Ukraine would adjust its operations accordingly regarding Russian airspace.

Casualties and Damage

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russian forces launched ballistic missiles and deployed 167 attack drones overnight, with Ukrainian air defenses shooting down or suppressing 128 drones. The conflict continues to take a toll on civilians and infrastructure, with the situation remaining tense and unresolved.

The peace process remains stalled, with both sides continuing to escalate their attacks. The next steps will depend on the outcome of the talks in Kyiv and the broader geopolitical landscape.

(With inputs from AP)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.