Putin, Witkoff discuss prospect of direct Russia-Ukraine talks during meeting in Moscow

MOSCOW, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the possibility of direct Russia-Ukraine talks during their meeting in Moscow, local media reported Friday citing Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.

Ushakov said the talks focused on the possibility of restarting direct negotiations between representatives from Russia and Ukraine, and said the meeting helped to further align the positions of Russia and the United States, both on Ukraine and on other international issues.

He called the talks constructive and useful, adding that dialogue between Moscow and Washington would continue at various levels.

Putin and Witkoff met in the Kremlin on Friday. The meeting, which lasted three hours, was also attended by Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Russian special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries.

Witkoff reportedly arrived in Moscow earlier Friday. ■