Witkoff and Putin discuss Ukrainian settlement, no breakthroughs expected

US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in St. Petersburg on Friday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. "The theme of the meeting – aspects of a Ukrainian settlement," the Kremlin said in a press announcement. Russian news agencies said the meeting lasted more than four hours. The White House said that the meeting between Witkoff and Putin was just another step towards a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.  

Kremlin spokesperson Dimitry Peskov said that the talks were “a good opportunity to convey Russia’s position to Trump," but that there was "no need to expect any breakthroughs” from the talks, the Washington Post reported. "Witkoff, being the special representative of President Trump, will bring something from his president for Putin. The conversation will continue on various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement," Peskov told Russian reporters. 

"This is another step in the negotiating process towards a ceasefire and an ultimate peace deal in Russia and Ukraine," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a Friday press briefing. "As these negotiations are ongoing, I obviously will not get ahead of the president or his team, but I think the president has been quite clear that he's been continually frustrated with both sides of this conflict, and he wants to see this fighting end."   (Read More)