Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff held a nearly three-hour meeting in St. Petersburg to discuss the war in Ukraine, prospects for renewed peace negotiations, and potential economic cooperation between Russia and the United States, according to Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov.
Ushakov described the meeting as thorough and candid, noting that it marked the ninth contact between Putin and Witkoff. He said the discussions served as a useful supplement to communications between the Russian and American presidents.
The conflict in Ukraine was the central topic of the meeting. According to Ushakov, Putin told Witkoff that Russian forces were effectively destroying Ukraine’s military-industrial facilities and claimed that Russian troops held the strategic initiative on the battlefield.
Putin also indicated that Moscow was generally prepared to resume trilateral negotiations involving Russia, the United States, and Ukraine around November 10. The proposed talks would focus on the principal issues preventing a settlement, including the establishment of a security framework for both Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends.
During the meeting, Witkoff briefed Putin on new proposals from European countries and Ukraine that emerged during discussions in Oslo. However, Ushakov said Moscow saw little substantive value in the new approaches as a basis for resolving the conflict.
Jared Kushner was unable to travel to St. Petersburg because of health reasons and did not attend the meeting, according to the Russian statement.
The discussions also included the release of Hubbard, who was handed over to Witkoff at Pulkovo Airport for his return to the United States. Witkoff reportedly said the gesture would be appreciated by U.S. President Donald Trump and the American public.
Putin asked Witkoff to convey his best wishes to Trump and expressed appreciation to Melania Trump for her humanitarian efforts, particularly concerning the situation in Aleshki, Ushakov said.
Beyond the Ukraine conflict, Putin and Witkoff discussed the possibility of large-scale joint economic projects between Russia and the United States, which Ushakov described as offering significant opportunities for cooperation.
The two officials also discussed the prospect of a trilateral meeting involving Putin, Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China. According to Ushakov, the Chinese side was preparing for a possible meeting, which could be included in the diplomatic agenda if circumstances proved favorable. No confirmed date or final arrangements were announced in the statement.
The meeting underscores continuing diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Washington as efforts to explore a possible settlement in Ukraine remain complicated by disagreements over security arrangements and the terms of a potential peace agreement. Although the Russian statement indicated a willingness to resume negotiations, the timing and outcome of any renewed talks remain uncertain.
The claims and assessments cited in this report are based on Ushakov’s account of the meeting and have not been independently verified.
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