The key facts
- Witkoff is bringing an updated settlement plan to Putin in Saint Petersburg; Kushner will join online (Axios).
- In Oslo, Witkoff discussed European-American proposals with Zelensky, Stubb and Støre.
- Trump said the EU is 'getting tired of spending' money on Ukraine and urged Zelensky to make a deal.
Meeting in Saint Petersburg
US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday to present an updated proposal for ending the war in Ukraine. Axios reports this, citing a US official. According to the outlet, Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, will join the meeting virtually. The visit will take place after Witkoff's talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of the Trump administration's diplomatic efforts.
Talks in Oslo
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on Tuesday that Witkoff would travel to Saint Petersburg and convey to the Russian leadership the ideas discussed at meetings with Ukrainian and Nordic leaders in Norway. At a press conference in Oslo alongside Zelensky and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Støre said Witkoff would exchange views on proposals developed by European and American officials, which could potentially open the way to a leaders-level meeting. He called the talks in Norway 'good and constructive' and stressed the importance of continuing cooperation to advance diplomacy.
Trump's Statements
Trump said on Tuesday that the European Union is 'getting tired of spending' money on Ukraine and urged Zelensky to make a deal to end the war with Russia. Asked whether the peace process was back on track after the Oslo talks, he said: 'I think what's happening is that Russia would like to end it.' According to him, 'Russia is a big machine, it just keeps moving forward' and has 'unlimited manpower.'
