Witkoff calls talks with Putin in St Petersburg constructive; trilateral talks to continue
In short
US envoy Steve Witkoff called his talks with Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg constructive and said work on US-Russia-Ukraine talks at a technical level will continue. Vedomosti reported that Putin announced the release of US citizen Stephen Hubbard at the start of the meeting. Peskov said the talks took place in a working atmosphere.
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US special envoy Steve Witkoff called his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg constructive. Witkoff wrote on X that he met Putin to build on progress made in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to discuss the framework of a peace agreement and to thank Putin for releasing US citizen Stephen Hubbard. Vedomosti reported that the talks took place in St Petersburg on 21 October. [ 2 , 5 , 9 ]
Witkoff also wrote that important work remains and that US President Donald Trump remains committed to ending the war and achieving a comprehensive, lasting peace. He said the sides will continue working on trilateral talks of the US, Russia and Ukraine at a technical level. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 9 ]
TASS quoted Peskov as saying that the talks between Putin and Witkoff took place in a working atmosphere. RIA Novosti said Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, head of RFPI (РФПИ), also took part for Russia. According to Vedomosti, Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Trump, joined by video link. [ 1 , 2 , 9 ]
Vedomosti reported that Putin announced the release of Hubbard, who had been accused of mercenary activity, at the start of the meeting. It also reported that Putin said Russia is interested in restoring economic cooperation with the US and that Witkoff noted the discussions show possibilities for expanding business ties. [ 9 ]
Kommersant reported that talks were held in Oslo on 20 October between Witkoff, Zelensky, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. Witkoff then went to St Petersburg to meet Putin and returned to Norway, where he described the results of the three-hour talks with the Russian president. Kommersant also said the Kremlin called the talks productive and that the next round of trilateral expert-level consultations on Ukraine may be held in Abu Dhabi in early November. It said the last such meetings were held in February. [ 4 ]
RIA Novosti published Kushner's assessment of the Oslo and St Petersburg talks. Kommersant reported that he spoke of positive dynamics in the negotiations on settling the conflict in Ukraine and called the progress encouraging. [ 8 , 10 ]
Why it matters
The talks followed Witkoff's meetings in Oslo with Ukrainian and European leaders, and the sides spoke of continuing contacts on a settlement in Ukraine. Witkoff said important work remains, and the documents do not report any agreement.
Key facts
- Witkoff called his talks with Putin in St Petersburg constructive. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 9 ]
- Vedomosti gave 21 October as the date of the talks in St Petersburg. [ 9 ]
- Putin announced the release of Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen accused of mercenary activity, at the start of the meeting, Vedomosti reported. [ 9 ]
- Witkoff wrote on X that the US, Russia and Ukraine will continue working on trilateral talks at a technical level. [ 5 , 6 , 9 ]
- Peskov said the Putin-Witkoff talks took place in a working atmosphere. [ 1 ]
- Kommersant reported that the Kremlin said the next round of trilateral expert-level consultations on Ukraine may be held in Abu Dhabi in early November. [ 4 ]
- Vedomosti reported that Jared Kushner joined the talks by video link. [ 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Witkoff called the talks with Putin in St Petersburg constructive. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 9 ]
- Witkoff thanked Putin for releasing US citizen Stephen Hubbard. [ 2 , 5 , 9 ]
- Witkoff said the US, Russia and Ukraine will continue with trilateral talks at a technical level. [ 5 , 6 , 9 ]
- Witkoff said important work remains and that President Trump remains committed to ending the war and achieving a lasting peace. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Peskov said the talks took place in a working atmosphere. [ 1 ]
Still unclear
- What was agreed on the framework of a peace agreement. Documents say only that the framework conditions were discussed and that Witkoff said important work remains.
- When and whether the next round of trilateral consultations will take place in Abu Dhabi. Only Kommersant, citing the Kremlin, says it may be held in early November; no date is given.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS published Peskov's statement that the Putin-Witkoff talks took place in a working atmosphere. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reported Witkoff's post calling the talks constructive. [ 2 ]
- Interfax reported Witkoff's X post on the talks in St Petersburg and Oslo. [ 5 ]
- Vedomosti reported that Kushner joined the talks by video and that Putin announced Hubbard's release. [ 9 ]
- Kommersant reported Kushner's statement of positive dynamics in the talks. [ 10 ]