**US Envoy to Meet Putin on Ukraine Talks**
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with US President Donald Trump‘s special envoy Steve Witkoff on April 11 to discuss a potential settlement in Ukraine. This meeting comes as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to simmer, with no major breakthroughs in sight.
Witkoff has been leading the US effort to broker a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv, and this will be his third meeting with Putin. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has tempered expectations of the talks, saying they are unlikely to bring about significant progress. The two leaders have met twice before, but previous efforts to reach an agreement have been unsuccessful.
**Talks Against a Backdrop of Rising Tensions**
The meeting takes place against a backdrop of rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Trump’s push for a ceasefire has stalled, with Moscow rejecting a 30-day truce agreed upon by Washington and Kyiv in March. Russia has also continued to violate the partial energy ceasefire that followed.
Trump’s tone on the issue has become increasingly aggressive, with him saying he was “pissed off” and “very angry” over Moscow’s continued attacks on Ukraine and Putin’s personal hostility toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite this, the US has yet to impose new sanctions or tariffs against Russia.
**Diplomatic Efforts Continue**
The April 11 meeting is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Moscow. In March, the two sides held talks in Istanbul focused on embassy operations, but the war in Ukraine was not discussed. The meeting follows a series of failed attempts to reach an agreement, with both sides showing little willingness to compromise.
As tensions continue to escalate, the outcome of these talks is uncertain. One possibility being considered is a potential meeting between Trump and Putin, although this has yet to be confirmed.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com