Special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly met with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of the Trump administration’s push to progress peace talks with Ukraine, which have stalled in recent weeks.
Arriving in St. Petersburg on Friday, Witkoff has already visited Russia twice this year to meet with Putin. Prior to his encounter with the Kremlin boss, he had a meeting with a Russian negotiator.
Moscow has been criticized by President Trump in recent weeks for postponing peace negotiations. Recent discussions with U.S. officials have revealed that Ukraine is willing to accept a 30-day cease-fire provided Russia agrees.
However, Russia has rejected the cease-fire request and stalled negotiations, aiming to profit from its military gains and gain as many concessions as possible.
Instead, the Kremlin has been promoting Washington’s seeming commitment in restoring normalcy and offering business agreements between the two nations, all the while laying out terms for any ceasefire with Kyiv, including the removal of some economic sanctions.
After his visit to Russia, Witkoff was supposed to head to the Middle East to negotiate with Iran on its nuclear program.
Witkoff, who has emerged as a crucial go-between in Trump’s efforts to end the conflict, met with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev on Friday, according to TASS, the Russian state news agency.
Last week, Dmitriev visited Washington, where he has become an unofficial Russian intermediary with the United States.
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