MOSCOW — Russia described the latest round of talks between President Vladimir Putin and visiting US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff as “constructive and very useful,” the Kremlin announced on Friday.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, who participated in the meeting alongside the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev, told reporters in Moscow that the conversation lasted three hours.

“A three-hour conversation took place, which was constructive and very useful,” Ushakov said.

He noted that dialogue between Russia and the United States would continue "in the most active mode" across various levels moving forward.

Talks on Ukraine were a major focus of the meeting, with particular emphasis on resuming direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, Ushakov added.

“The conversation allowed us to further bring the positions of Russia and the United States closer together, not only on Ukraine, but also on a number of other international issues,” he said.

The meeting follows recent diplomatic engagements between Washington and Moscow amid efforts to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and address broader global security challenges. — Agencies