From Oslo to St. Petersburg: Witkoff Delivers Joint Proposals to Putin Under Trump’s Pressure on Kyiv
The US envoy's meetings follow discussions in Oslo on security guarantees, postwar recovery and a possible ceasefire framework, though major disagreements remain.
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy, arrived in St. Petersburg on Wednesday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin after spending the previous day in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a group of European leaders and officials. The back-to-back meetings represent the latest attempt by the Trump administration to restart stalled negotiations over the war in Ukraine while the White House continues to urge Kyiv to accept a settlement.
In Norway, Witkoff sat with Zelenskyy, the prime minister of Norway, the president of Finland, and representatives from Britain, France, Germany, Poland, the European Union, and NATO. U.S. officials characterized the session as constructive and productive, saying Ukraine introduced fresh ideas and that the participants moved closer to a shared set of positions for approaching Moscow. Discussions covered possible security guarantees for Ukraine after any ceasefire, plans for postwar economic recovery, and a wider arrangement for European security. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and a frequent participant in these talks, joined by video link and is expected to do the same during the meeting with Putin.
Zelenskyy emerged from the Oslo talks stating that U.S. intelligence sharing on Russian missile and drone attacks had resumed and was functioning. He also said Ukraine remained willing to stop striking sensitive Russian energy facilities if Russia halted its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, though he noted that Moscow had so far rejected the reciprocal idea. Zelenskyy further indicated openness to a future meeting of the three leaders—himself, Putin, and Trump—to settle questions of territory and other issues that only heads of state can decide. European participants described the Oslo exchanges as useful and said the proposals now rested with Russia to accept, modify, or reject.
Trump has repeatedly said the time has come for Ukraine to end the war and stop the loss of life. He has also described recent Russian behavior as cooperative. In separate comments, he noted that he had asked Putin about the possible release of Stephen Hubbard, an American held in a Russian prison after capture in Ukraine and a conviction on charges of acting as a mercenary; whether that subject will arise in St. Petersburg is not clear.
Before Witkoff's arrival, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow hoped the envoy would convey the latest thinking from Ukraine and Europe. Russian officials have indicated they will hear the proposals but have ruled out political concessions. Witkoff was met at the airport by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
Earlier rounds of talks, including a long session in Miami, produced no lasting agreement. Russia continues to demand full control of the Donetsk region before any ceasefire, a condition Ukraine has consistently refused. The gap on territorial questions, the nature of security guarantees, and the order in which fighting would stop remains large. U.S. officials hope the ideas refined in Oslo will test whether Moscow is prepared to engage on a more coordinated Western approach. The results of Wednesday's meeting will show whether those proposals can open a path toward further talks or whether the diplomatic effort again loses momentum once it reaches the Kremlin.