US special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, sparking renewed momentum for US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Putin told Witkoff that Moscow was “in principle, ready to resume” trilateral negotiations with the US and Ukraine after Nov. 10, according to Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov. The talks would focus on “building a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends,” Ushakov said .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly backed the proposal, stating that Ukraine supported a US plan for trilateral talks at the negotiators’ level “as soon as possible.” Zelenskyy also suggested a ceasefire could begin by freezing the current front line, calling it “the real way to end the war” in a Fox News interview .
The meeting in St. Petersburg followed Witkoff’s discussions with Zelenskyy and European leaders in Oslo on Tuesday, where he presented proposals aimed at achieving peace. Ushakov later said the Oslo proposals contained “not really much substance,” but acknowledged they were a step in the right direction .
Witkoff described his three-hour meeting with Putin as “constructive” but noted that “there is still important work left to do.” He also praised Putin as a “humanitarian” for releasing American citizen Stephen Hubbard, a move that drew criticism from US lawmakers and Ukrainian officials. Hubbard, a retired teacher, had been detained in Russia for over four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine .
Despite the diplomatic progress, missile and drone strikes continued overnight. Kyiv reported at least 15 injuries and damage to metro infrastructure, while Moscow claimed to have downed 630 Ukrainian drones. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned Witkoff’s remarks, stating that “appeasement, servility, and flattery will not stop this war. Only strength will” .
US President Donald Trump said the world was “the closest we’ve been” to ending the war, though the Kremlin expressed doubts over Ukrainian and European proposals .
