White House held secret talks with Putin's aides

This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing US and allied officials

Jake Sullivan, the US president's top national security adviser, had confidential conversations with top aides to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Yuri Ushakov and Nikolai Patrushev, to reduce the risk of an expanding conflict around Ukraine and to warn Moscow against using nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction.

The White House has not publicly confirmed any calls between Sullivan and any senior Russian official since March

Despite its support for Ukraine and punitive measures against Russia for the invasion, the White House said maintaining some level of contact with Moscow was necessary to achieve certain mutual national security interests.

The Washington Post previously reported on Sullivan's efforts to persuade Ukrainian officials to seek a solution.