US envoy Steve Witkoff meets Putin in St. Petersburg for Ukraine war talks

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to France 24 and newindianexpress.com. This visit followed Witkoff's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Oslo, Norway.

The talks are part of US-led efforts to find a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, which has lasted over four and a half years without significant progress, France 24 and newindianexpress.com reported. Witkoff was expected to return to Oslo for further consultations after the Russia visit.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre suggested that Russia might be seeking diplomatic opportunities, while Russian officials indicated willingness to hear new US proposals but tempered expectations for breakthroughs, according to newindianexpress.com.

US President Donald Trump has been urging Ukraine's leadership to reach a deal to end the fighting, with the White House increasing pressure on Kyiv, as noted by newindianexpress.com. The conflict remains unresolved with ongoing military engagements and differing settlement terms.

The meetings reflect ongoing diplomatic efforts to revive peace talks, though no immediate breakthrough was indicated. Witkoff's engagement with both sides aims to bring momentum to negotiations after years of stalled progress, France 24 noted.