**Russian and US Officials Meet in St. Petersburg, Praise “Extremely Useful” Talks**
In a recent development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg on April 11. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has hailed the talks as “extremely useful,” according to reports from the Russian state-owned news agency TASS.
The meeting focused on “aspects of the Ukrainian settlement,” marking Witkoff’s third face-to-face encounter with Putin. However, when asked about the possibility of a future meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, Peskov said that this matter was not discussed during their talks last week.
Peskov emphasized that Russia and the United States are at the beginning of a long process to normalize bilateral relations. Despite this progress, tensions remain high as Moscow continues to reject Trump’s calls for a full ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The Kremlin has instead sought partial truces on strikes against energy facilities and in the Black Sea.
**US Proposal Met with Criticism**
Witkoff reportedly told Trump that granting Russia “ownership” of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions – the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts – would be the quickest path to achieving a ceasefire. However, this proposal has been met with criticism from Ukraine’s leadership.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously offered Trump a similar deal in an effort to end the conflict, but was rebuffed by the U.S. leader. Since taking office, the Trump administration has adopted a more amicable stance toward Russia, resuming direct diplomatic contact with Moscow while signaling reduced commitment to Ukraine’s security.
**Escalating Violence in Ukraine**
The recent talks come as violence escalates in Ukraine. A Russian missile strike on the northeastern city of Sumy killed at least 34 people, including two children, and injured over 117. President Zelensky warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s long-term objective is to restore a Russian empire that would include parts of NATO member states.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, condemned the attack on Sumy, saying it was “a clear demonstration of Russia’s desire for revenge and terror.” Meanwhile, Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry stated that those responsible for the attack will not escape justice, including Russian diplomats.
**Global Response**
The international community has responded with outrage to the attacks. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski called the strikes a “heinous” act that mocks Ukraine’s desire for peace. EU foreign ministers will meet in Luxembourg on April 14 to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, including a possible monitoring mission.
Hungary’s opposition leader, Peter Magyar, has promised to reset Hungary’s foreign relations and end what he calls the government’s isolation from the West. Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump condemned the conflict, saying that “war is a shame” and millions of people should be alive instead of dead.
**Conclusion**
The recent talks between Putin and Witkoff highlight the complexities of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While progress has been made in normalizing relations between Russia and the US, tensions remain high as violence escalates on the ground. The international community continues to respond with outrage, calling for decisive action to bring an end to the bloodshed.
As EU foreign ministers meet in Luxembourg to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, one thing is clear: the fate of the country hangs in the balance, and the world watches anxiously as events unfold.