Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. This meeting comes as Trump urged Russia to "get moving" to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Witkoff has been advocating for a truce and discussed potential peace efforts with Putin, following a prior meeting with Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy for international cooperation.
The meeting was significant, as it marked Witkoff’s third encounter with Putin this year. It was also notable because it was the first time the two were seen shaking hands and talking in front of cameras. Russian state media broadcasted the event, highlighting the Kremlin’s confidence in these negotiations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, however, tempered expectations, suggesting that no major breakthroughs were anticipated from this meeting.
Ivor Bennett, a correspondent for Sky News, pointed out that the public nature of this meeting suggests Russia feels secure in its position. He noted that while Witkoff seemed somewhat uncomfortable, Putin appeared relaxed and in control. This dynamic may serve to reinforce Russia’s narrative that it is the one calling the shots in the negotiations regarding Ukraine, rather than the Trump administration.
In a statement on social media, Trump expressed his frustration with the situation, emphasizing the urgency to stop the conflict, which he described as "terrible and senseless." He stated that many lives are at stake and claimed that the war would not have happened if he were still president.
Despite ongoing discussions, negotiations for a ceasefire have stalled. Putin has indicated a willingness to agree to a ceasefire but insists that key conditions must be met first. These include demands for Ukraine to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea and to limit its military capabilities.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for more military support, especially air defense systems, following recent attacks that resulted in civilian casualties in his home city. He stressed that Ukraine is ready to purchase additional defense systems to protect its people.
As the situation evolves, both the U.S. and Russia continue to grapple with the complexities of reaching a lasting peace agreement, while the humanitarian toll of the conflict continues to rise.