Footage released by the Kremlin showed Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner being greeted by Putin.
On Sunday the envoys will travel to Kyiv for more talks.
Since the start of the war, American envoys have travelled numerous times to Russia, but this will be their first such visit to Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
This is Steve Witkoff’s eight visit to the Kremlin since Trump took office in January 2025.
“The talks were not limited to an exchange of views on resolving the Ukrainian crisis – economic issues and potential major, mutually beneficial Russian-American projects were discussed in considerable detail,” Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov said.
Russia controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory – areas that it seized back in 2022.
BBC: US envoys meet Putin in Moscow for Ukraine talks
Reuters: Kremlin says Ukraine talks with US envoys were useful; no sign of breakthrough
France 24: Trump sends envoys to Moscow, Kyiv with new plan to ‘end war’ (video)
The Guardian: Witkoff and Kushner discussed ‘next steps’ with Putin to end Ukraine war, says US