Putin, US Envoy Hold 4-Hour Ukraine Talks Amid Trump’s Call for Russia to ‘Act Now’
- International Affairs News On Russia North America
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 4 minutes read
In a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Russia to hasten efforts toward a ceasefire. At the same time, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg for what the Kremlin described as “productive” four-hour talks. The meeting marks the third time Witkoff has met Putin this year, signalling intensifying behind-the-scenes diplomacy. President Trump issued a strongly worded statement on Truth Social, urging Russia to “get moving” to end the conflict, emphasizing the mounting human toll. “Too many people are dying, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war — A war that should have never happened, and wouldn’t have happened, if I were President!!!” he declared. Trump’s remarks come amid growing frustration with the ongoing violence and a perceived lack of progress toward peace. His statement also reaffirms his long-standing position that the war could have been averted under his leadership, a narrative he continues to push as the 2024 U.S. presidential race heats up.
Putin and Witkoff’s meeting lasted over four hours and focused on avenues to resolve the war. According to Russia’s state media and official statements, the talks were described as “productive” and included Putin’s investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, who echoed the positive tone.
Although the Kremlin has tempered expectations, stating no immediate breakthroughs were anticipated, the dialogue indicates a subtle but important shift in the diplomatic landscape. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that relations between the U.S. and Russia are still evolving and cautioned against expecting rapid results.
Trump’s Ukraine Envoy Clarifies Ceasefire Strategy
Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, stirred debate after comments suggesting that Ukraine could be divided into allied zones of control. Speaking to The Times, Kellogg proposed that British and French forces could be stationed west of the Dnipro River as part of a “reassurance force,” with a demilitarized zone separating them from Russian-occupied territory. Kellogg likened the idea to the post-World War II division of Berlin into allied zones. However, he later clarified on X that the U.S. would not send its troops to the region. He stressed that a force positioned west of the Dnipro River would be a non-provocative measure, designed to deter further aggression while reassuring Ukrainian civilians and military personnel. This proposal has sparked mixed reactions. Some view it as a pragmatic step toward de-escalation, while others see it as potentially legitimizing Russia’s territorial gains.
Moscow has reiterated that it is open to a full ceasefire but outlined strict preconditions. These include Ukraine renouncing its ambitions to join NATO, scaling back its military forces, and formally recognizing Russian control over four occupied Ukrainian regions. These conditions pose significant challenges to any immediate resolution, as they directly clash with Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukrainian leaders have consistently rejected any proposal that compromises their national borders or independence. While the Witkoff-Putin meeting and Kellogg’s proposed peacekeeping framework represent emerging efforts to negotiate an end to hostilities, the road to peace remains fraught with complexities. Any ceasefire agreement would need to balance the demands of all stakeholders, address humanitarian concerns, and ensure long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump’s re-engagement with the Ukraine conflict, albeit from outside official channels, adds another layer to the diplomatic equation. His influence over Republican foreign policy, combined with his potential return to the White House, has made his statements and envoys highly consequential.
