The key facts
- The Putin–Witkoff meeting took place on October 21 at the Constantine Palace in Saint Petersburg; the main topic was the Ukrainian settlement.
- Putin thanked Donald and Melania Trump for their help on humanitarian issues.
- Witkoff arrived after consultations in Oslo with Zelensky and European partners; the American Stephen Hubbard has been released and, according to Putin, is at Pulkovo.
Meeting in Saint Petersburg
Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 21 held a meeting at the Constantine Palace in Saint Petersburg with US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff. According to Life.ru, the main topic of the talks was the Ukrainian settlement.
Thanks to the Trumps
Putin thanked US leader Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for their assistance in resolving humanitarian issues. 'President Trump pays special attention to the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict primarily for humanitarian reasons,' the Russian leader said. He also thanked Trump for his attention to ending the conflict.
Context of Witkoff's visit
The American envoy arrived in Russia after consultations in Oslo, where he discussed possible parameters of a peace agreement with Volodymyr Zelensky and European partners. According to the outlet, Witkoff brought to Saint Petersburg documents with proposals on Ukraine.
Economy and Hubbard's release
Moscow, according to participants of the meeting, expressed interest in restoring economic ties with Washington. Witkoff, in turn, thanked Putin for the release of the American Stephen Hubbard, who had been serving a sentence in Russia. Putin said that Hubbard was already at Pulkovo airport.
