The key facts
- NYT: Witkoff and Kushner plan to arrive in St. Petersburg on October 21 for a meeting with Putin
- Topics of the talks include resolving the situation in Ukraine and the fate of American Stephen Hubbard
- The visit is expected to follow consultations in Oslo; Kushner's trip has not been finally agreed
Planned Visit to St. Petersburg
US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff and the American leader's son-in-law Jared Kushner, according to The New York Times, plan to arrive in St. Petersburg on October 21 for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit is expected to take place after consultations on Ukraine in Oslo. At the same time, it remains unclear whether Kushner's trip to Russia has been finally agreed.
Topics of the Talks
One of the tasks of the proposed meeting, citing the American publication, is said to be discussion of the release of US citizen Stephen Hubbard, who is being held in a Russian penal colony. Washington hopes to secure his return home. Hubbard was detained in 2022; a Russian court found him guilty of mercenarism for participating in hostilities on Ukraine's side and sentenced him to imprisonment. The American side considers his detention unlawful. In addition, Witkoff intends to discuss with Putin prospects for resolving the Ukrainian conflict and, as expected, will convey to the Russian side the results of talks with Kyiv and European partners.
Consultations in Oslo
On October 20, consultations are being held in Oslo involving Volodymyr Zelensky, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Representatives of European states, the European Union, and NATO are also taking part in the discussions. Witkoff is attending the meetings in person, while Kushner joined remotely due to illness.
