US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to revive trilateral peace talks with the United States and Ukraine, as part of a concerted effort by Washington to resolve the ongoing conflict. The appeal came during Witkoff’s meeting with Putin in St Petersburg, marking their ninth face-to-face discussion.
In these discussions, Witkoff introduced new proposals aimed at ending the war and explored possible pathways toward a negotiated peace settlement. The meeting also touched on other international issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, and hinted at a potential future summit involving US President Donald Trump, Putin, and possibly Chinese President Xi Jinping in China.
Prior to his engagement with Putin, Witkoff held talks in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as leaders from Finland and Norway, alongside European and NATO representatives. These dialogues focused on crafting a unified strategy for negotiations with Russia and pinpointing key elements for a comprehensive peace agreement.
Among the central topics discussed were security guarantees for Ukraine, the nation’s postwar economic recovery, and the future landscape of European security arrangements. Zelenskyy has shown a keen interest in a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin to address major impediments to peace. Nonetheless, the Kremlin has emphasized the need for substantial preparation before any direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy can occur to ensure meaningful outcomes.
These diplomatic movements underscore Washington’s renewed determination to encourage negotiations, though considerable hurdles remain in achieving a consensus that satisfies all parties involved. The international community continues to watch closely as these efforts unfold, hoping for a breakthrough in the protracted conflict.