Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov soon after the four-hour discussion called the engagement “substantive” and “frank” – and mentioned it was conducted with an unusually high level of mutual trust, which typically suggests hard truths were exchanged behind closed doors.

Still, following the late night meeting the Kremlin said the “territorial issue” remains unresolved, as the Ukrainian side is still pushing for a freeze of the front lines, while Moscow seeks a final political settlement which falls nothing short of full recognition of its hold over the four eastern territories.

https://www.theburningplatform.com/2026/01/23/putin-not-budging-frank-talks-with-witkoff-confirm-territory-is-a-red-line/#more-391998