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Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Steve Witkoff, a special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump, in St. Petersburg on Friday to discuss the Ukraine conflict.
The Kremlin stated that the meeting focused on “various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement,” with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicating that the talks were held privately, aimed at exchanging views on the Ukraine issue, but no significant breakthroughs were expected.
Before his meeting with Putin, Witkoff spoke with Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign nations. After their discussions, Dmitriev described the talks with Witkoff as “productive.”
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According to credible sources Witkoff arrived in Russia for a business trip on Friday morning and wrapped up his engagements in St. Petersburg late that evening.
Witkoff’s repeated trips to Russia and his meeting with Kremlin-linked figures signal the Trump administration’s willingness to engage directly—even informally—with Moscow as the war in Ukraine grinds on. While both sides publicly emphasize peace, behind-the-scenes negotiations appear tangled in competing goals: the U.S. seeks a cease-fire, while Russia pushes for sanctions relief and greater economic cooperation.
Witkoff has become a pivotal player in the fluctuating rapprochement between Moscow and Washington, with discussions on the Russian side regarding potential joint investments in the Arctic and in rare earth minerals.
Putin and Trump have spoken by phone but have yet to meet in person since the US leader returned to the White House in January for a second four-year term.
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