U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in St. Petersburg on Wednesday for high‑level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting is part of President Donald Trump‘s diplomatic push to get Ukraine to agree to a settlement that ends the war.
European stop before Russia
Witkoff’s trip followed a day in Oslo, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Witkoff will return to Oslo after the Russian visit for further consultations.
“I think we may have entered a phase now where the Russians are also looking for opportunities for diplomacy,” Støre told NRK, suggesting a possible opening for dialogue.
Talks in St. Petersburg
Russian Foreign Ministry aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that President Putin will host Witkoff at the historic Constantine Palace during the first half of Wednesday. Kremlin official Kirill Dmitriev, presidential envoy on economic matters, is also slated to attend.
“Negotiations on a settlement in Ukraine are, naturally, an integral part of today’s agenda,” Ushakov told reporters, underscoring the Kremlin’s willingness to discuss the conflict.
Trump’s pressure on Kyiv
At the White House on Tuesday, President Trump increased pressure on Zelenskyy to reach an agreement with Russia. “We want Zelenskyy to make a deal,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “We’ve given a lot to Ukraine. We’ve gotten absolutely nothing back except grief, death, tremendous monetary loss.” He warned that failure to secure a deal would be “a very bad thing.”
Trump’s remarks reflect his administration’s broader strategy, launched early last year, to end the war through diplomatic engagement rather than continued military aid.
Ukrainian concerns
Despite the diplomatic overtures, Zelenskyy remains cautious. While still in Oslo meeting lawmakers, he noted that Kyiv continues to receive early warnings about incoming Russian missiles, but recent strikes occurred with insufficient notice from allies.
The Ukrainian president also confirmed a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, indicating ongoing coordination with Washington.
Russian stance
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is willing to listen to new U.S. proposals on Ukraine but does not expect a “miracle” from Washington. The Kremlin’s message suggests openness to dialogue while maintaining a realistic view of what can be achieved.
What’s next?
Witkoff’s meetings in Norway and Russia signal a renewed U.S. effort to bring momentum to peace talks more than four and a half years after Russia’s full‑scale invasion. While no immediate breakthrough was announced, the diplomatic activity highlights the Trump administration’s commitment to seeking a negotiated end to the conflict.
Both sides remain far apart on settlement terms, and daily long‑range strikes continue to inflict damage on each side’s forces. The coming weeks will reveal whether the talks in St. Petersburg can translate into concrete steps toward a lasting peace.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
