Putin, Witkoff discuss Ukraine war, US-Russia relations
3 Min Read
The Russian president and US envoy discuss the Ukraine war and future Russia-US strategic cooperation amid signals from Trump.
-
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff to their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, April 25, 2025 (AP)
The Kremlin announced on Wednesday that the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, which lasted approximately three hours, had concluded in the Kremlin.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff had engaged in discussions during their meeting, covering topics such as the Ukrainian crisis and the potential for advancing strategic cooperation between the United States and Russia.
"As for the topics covered, then, first of all, of course, it is the Ukrainian crisis. And the second topic is the prospects for the possible development of strategic cooperation between the United States and Russia," Kremlin aide Ushakov told reporters. He noted that the discussion between Putin and Witkoff was productive and held constructively.
Later in the day, US President Donald Trump reacted to the meeting between Wtikoff and Putin, calling it very productive and saying great progress was achieved.
"My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," he wrote on Truth Social.
Meanwhile, a White House official told Al Mayadeen that according to the meeting between Russia and Witkoff that went well, "the Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States," adding that, nevertheless, "the secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday.”
Russia transmits signals regarding Ukraine war
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated that during the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Russia had conveyed its position on the Ukrainian issue while also receiving corresponding signals from US President Donald Trump.
"The current situation is that our president has complete information, that is, our signals, signals from President Trump. And Trump has not yet been informed about the results of this meeting. Therefore, I would refrain from making more detailed comments," Ushakov stated.
"Let us see when Witkoff will be able to report on the conversation that took place today to Trump. After that, obviously, we will be able to supplement my comments with something more significant," he added.
Trump serious regarding peace in Ukraine
Meanwhile, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett emphasized on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump is genuinely committed to facilitating a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine-Russia war, stating during an interview for Fox Business that "the President is serious about getting peace in Ukraine and Russia."
