Trump envoy Witkoff holds talks with Putin in Saint Petersburg

On Friday, April 11, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This meeting occurred amid escalating tensions and a renewed push from the United States to broker a ceasefire.

President Donald Trump has expressed frustration over Russia’s lack of progress toward ending the war, describing the conflict as “senseless” and urging immediate action. He emphasized that Russia must expedite peace efforts and agree to a ceasefire deal to end the Ukraine conflict

The Kremlin released footage of Putin greeting Witkoff, indicating the significance of the meeting. However, Russian sources have cautioned that no breakthroughs are expected from these discussions

This diplomatic engagement follows a significant Russian missile strike on Dnipro, Ukraine, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Despite the high-level talks, the path to a peaceful resolution remains uncertain, with both sides holding firm on their positions.

As the international community watches closely, the outcome of these discussions could have far-reaching implications for the future of the region and global stability.