Trump's Envoy Meets Putin Amid Stalled Ukraine Peace Talks
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, signaling ongoing efforts to broker peace in the Ukraine conflict.
In a move to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Friday. The meeting comes as peace talks between Ukraine and Russia have stalled, causing frustration for President Donald Trump. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the meeting as a step toward negotiating a ceasefire, emphasizing Trump’s commitment to ending the hostilities.
Images broadcast by Russian media showed Putin and Witkoff at the presidential library, underscoring the diplomatic efforts. Leavitt stated that the U.S. believes it has leverage over both Ukraine and Russia to push for a peace agreement. Trump has demanded an immediate 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine has agreed to, but Russia has not.
Amid the diplomatic efforts, tensions remain high. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported finding Chinese fighters within Ukraine’s borders, suggesting external support for Russia. This claim was denied by the Kremlin, which insisted that China maintains a balanced stance on the conflict.
Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the situation, using social media to pressure Putin and threatening secondary tariffs on Russia’s oil exports. These actions highlight the complex dynamics of the ongoing negotiations and the urgency to resolve the conflict.
In a related development, a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia facilitated the return of U.S.-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina to the U.S. This exchange, along with discussions about reopening embassy operations, indicates broader efforts to normalize relations.
Witkoff’s meeting with Putin marks his third such encounter this year, reflecting the persistent diplomatic engagement. Following this, Witkoff is set to travel to Oman for nuclear talks with Iran, showing the broader scope of U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region.