US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Wednesday as Washington intensified diplomatic efforts to find a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine.
The meeting followed talks between Witkoff and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Oslo, Norway, which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as “positive”. The discussions involved European leaders and representatives of the European Union and NATO as Washington sought to develop proposals that could be presented to Moscow.
The diplomatic initiative comes more than four and a half years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite repeated efforts to end the conflict, Moscow and Kyiv remain divided over the terms of a potential peace agreement.
Putin Hosts US Envoy in St Petersburg
Putin received Witkoff at the Constantine Palace in St Petersburg, with Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev also involved in the discussions.
According to Reuters, the meeting marked Witkoff’s ninth face-to-face meeting with Putin. The talks focused on exploring new approaches to ending the conflict and reviewing proposals developed during the preceding discussions with Ukraine and European representatives.
Rubio said Witkoff would convey the ideas discussed in Oslo to the Russian leadership in the hope of making progress towards a settlement.
The United States has been seeking to bring the two sides closer to negotiations, although no immediate breakthrough had been established in the reporting available on Wednesday.
What Was Discussed in Oslo?
Before travelling to Russia, Witkoff met Zelenskyy in Oslo alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Finnish leaders and representatives from European institutions and NATO.
According to a US official cited by Reuters, the discussions covered key elements of a possible comprehensive peace framework, including security guarantees for Ukraine, post-war economic reconstruction and a broader European security arrangement.
The objective was to develop a coordinated approach before presenting proposals to Russia. Witkoff’s diplomatic mission was also intended to help establish a pathway towards direct negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States, potentially followed by broader multilateral discussions.
Zelenskyy has expressed interest in a possible trilateral meeting with Putin and US President Donald Trump, although such a meeting would require substantial preparation and agreement on the issues to be discussed.
The Kremlin has previously indicated that a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy would need careful preparation to ensure it could produce meaningful results.
Trump Increases Pressure on Kyiv
The latest diplomatic efforts are unfolding amid strained relations between Washington and Kyiv.
Trump has publicly urged Zelenskyy to reach an agreement with Moscow, expressing frustration over the cost of American support for Ukraine and suggesting that Kyiv must make decisions about ending the war.
The US president has also questioned whether Ukraine’s leadership is prepared to accept a negotiated settlement, adding pressure on the Ukrainian government as diplomatic discussions continue.
Kyiv, meanwhile, has raised concerns about military assistance, intelligence-sharing arrangements and access to satellite communications used by Ukrainian forces.
These tensions have complicated efforts to establish a common negotiating position among the United States, Ukraine and European allies.
Ukraine Raises Concerns Over Intelligence and Military Communications
The Oslo discussions also took place against the backdrop of recent concerns over intelligence-sharing and Ukraine’s access to Starshield, SpaceX’s military-grade satellite communications system.
Ukrainian officials had complained about disruptions affecting military communications and access to early warnings of incoming Russian missile attacks.
Following discussions with US officials, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was again receiving early warnings from partners about incoming Russian missile strikes. He also indicated that the Oslo meeting had helped address concerns raised with Washington.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk had ordered a slowdown of a military-grade version of SpaceX’s satellite service. Reuters said it could not immediately verify that report. Musk has maintained that such decisions rest with the US military or the president, while Trump has denied responsibility for the reported action.
The dispute highlights how intelligence-sharing and access to advanced communications technology have become important factors in Ukraine’s military position and its diplomatic relationship with Washington.
Russia Releases Detained American
A notable development surrounding Witkoff’s visit was Russia’s release of Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired American schoolteacher who had been detained since April 2022.
Hubbard had been sentenced to six years and ten months in prison on charges connected to alleged mercenary activity in Ukraine. His family and US-based lawyer had questioned the allegations.
Reuters reported that Putin informed Witkoff that Hubbard was waiting at the airport to return to the United States. Witkoff thanked the Russian president for the release, which was presented as a goodwill gesture during the diplomatic engagement.
Although Hubbard’s release was a significant development for his family, it did not in itself indicate that Russia and Ukraine had reached an understanding on the central issues dividing them.
Major Differences Remain Between Moscow and Kyiv
Despite the renewed diplomatic activity, the prospects for a comprehensive settlement remain uncertain.
Russia and Ukraine continue to disagree over territorial control, security guarantees and the future geopolitical position of Ukraine.
Reuters reported that Putin has maintained key objectives that include Russian control over the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine and opposition to Ukraine joining NATO.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has sought security arrangements that would protect it against future Russian attacks and has continued to resist settlement terms it considers unacceptable.
The two countries have also continued long-range attacks against each other while diplomatic efforts proceed. The Associated Press reported that the sides remained far apart on the terms of a settlement, with no indication of an imminent breakthrough.
These unresolved differences mean that diplomatic meetings, even when described as constructive, do not necessarily translate into an immediate ceasefire or peace agreement.
