Witkoff plans Russia trip to meet Putin after Oslo talks on Ukraine, Reuters and Axios say
In short
US special envoy Steve Witkoff plans to travel to Russia to meet Vladimir Putin after talks with a Ukrainian delegation in Oslo, Reuters and Axios reported, as cited by Russian outlets. Axios said he wants to present a peace proposal drawn up with Kyiv and European partners and to raise the release of US citizen Stephen Hubbard.
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US special envoy Steve Witkoff plans to visit Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin, Russian outlets reported on 20 October, citing Reuters and Axios. Reuters, citing sources, said the conversation with Putin would cover several Ukraine-related topics and the release of US citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was detained in Russia in 2022. RBC and Kommersant said Hubbard was convicted of mercenary activity. [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
The trip is to follow talks with a Ukrainian delegation in Oslo. Kommersant, citing Axios, said Witkoff will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and representatives of the E4 (UK, France, Germany and Poland), the EU and NATO. After that he will go to Russia, hoping to meet Putin and present a peace proposal developed together with Kyiv and European partners, Axios said. TASS added that the envoy intends to discuss these proposals with Putin. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
On timing, RIA Novosti said Reuters journalist Erin Banco wrote on X that the trip to the Russian capital is planned for this week, after the Oslo talks. RIA Novosti also said the agency indicated the meeting could take place later. Kommersant said Axios places the trip after 20 October. RIA Novosti reported that Zelensky told US senators he intends to go to Oslo, where he could meet Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Tuesday or Wednesday. [ 1 , 7 ]
Vedomosti, citing Reuters sources, said two sources expect Zelensky at the meetings, while another said Kushner, who was due to take part, is ill and will attend virtually. TASS separately reported that Finnish President Alexander Stubb will visit Oslo to meet Zelensky and Støre. [ 4 , 8 ]
RIA Novosti noted that Axios had written earlier that Witkoff and Kushner postponed their Russia visit until a new version of a peace deal was agreed with Kyiv and Europeans. Vedomosti recalled that on 19 October Trump said the US is holding active talks with Russia on Ukraine, but that diplomacy could stop if they reach a dead end. [ 1 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The reports describe a new round of US diplomacy on Ukraine involving Kyiv, European countries and Moscow. The documents do not say whether the trip will take place or what it would produce.
Key facts
- Reuters, citing sources, reported that Witkoff will visit Russia to meet Putin; Axios reported the same plan. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 7 ]
- The Russia trip is to follow talks with a Ukrainian delegation in Oslo. [ 1 , 3 , 6 ]
- Axios said that in Oslo Witkoff will meet Volodymyr Zelensky, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and representatives of the E4 (UK, France, Germany, Poland), the EU and NATO. [ 6 ]
- According to Axios, Witkoff wants to present Putin with a peace proposal developed jointly with Kyiv and European partners. [ 2 , 6 ]
- Both reports say the US side also plans to discuss the release of Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen convicted in Russia of mercenary activity. [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- A Reuters source said Jared Kushner, who was due to take part in the talks, is ill and will attend virtually. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- When Witkoff will travel to Russia. RIA Novosti cited Reuters journalist Erin Banco as saying the trip is planned for this week, but also said the agency indicated the meeting could take place later; Kommersant said Axios put the trip after 20 October.
- Whether Kushner will go to Moscow. RIA Novosti cited a report that Kushner and Witkoff could go from Oslo to Moscow, while Vedomosti, citing a Reuters source, said Kushner is ill and will join the talks virtually.
- Whether Zelensky will attend the Oslo talks. Vedomosti said two Reuters sources expect him; RIA Novosti said he told US senators he intends to go to Oslo.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti publishes the Reuters report on Witkoff's planned trip. [ 1 ]
- TASS cites Axios on the plan to visit Russia after meeting Zelensky. [ 2 ]
- RBC reports the Axios account of the plan. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti publishes the Reuters report with details on Hubbard and Kushner. [ 4 ]
- Kommersant publishes the Axios report on the Oslo participants and the peace proposal. [ 6 ]
- Kommersant reports that Reuters has reported the same trip as Axios. [ 7 ]
- TASS reports that Finnish President Stubb will visit Oslo, where talks on Ukraine with Witkoff are planned. [ 8 ]