Witkoff meets Putin in St Petersburg as Washington pushes Ukraine diplomacy
US envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg to discuss Moscow's war in Ukraine. The meeting followed Witkoff's talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Oslo. Washington is trying to restart US-led efforts to end the conflict, and Witkoff expressed thanks for a diesel arrangement.
The US special envoy traveled to Saint Petersburg for a meeting with Russia’s president at the Constantine Palace. The encounter came after consultations in Oslo with Ukraine’s leader and other European officials, and he was expected to return to Norway afterward.
Washington is trying to revive a US-led diplomatic track aimed at halting the war. During the Russia talks, Witkoff expressed appreciation for a diesel arrangement, according to the account provided.
If the talks produce momentum, civilians in Ukraine and Russia could see reduced exposure to fighting, while European governments may face pressure to align with any emerging diplomatic framework. Energy users and transport sectors might be affected by arrangements such as the diesel deal, though the practical scope is unclear. Analysts and publics may view the meeting as a test of whether US-led mediation can rebuild trust after strained US-Ukraine relations.