**US and Russia Meet to Discuss Ukrainian Settlement**
In a developing story, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss the “Ukrainian settlement”. This is Witkoff’s third in-person meeting with Putin.
According to the Kremlin, the topic of discussion was aspects of the Ukrainian settlement. However, no further details were provided as to the content of the discussions.
Russian Envoy Kirill Dmitriev called the talks “productive” and also held a separate meeting with Witkoff earlier in the day. Witkoff has now left Russia, according to flight tracking data.
**Background on US-Russia Talks**
The meeting comes after a second round of diplomatic talks between US and Russian officials in Istanbul, where embassy operations were discussed but not the war in Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump’s calls for a complete ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine have been rejected by Moscow. Russia has continued to attack Ukrainian cities and violate the partial truce established in mid-March.
**Witkoff’s Controversial Proposal**
It has been reported that Witkoff proposed giving Russia “ownership” of four illegally occupied Ukrainian regions as a way to achieve a ceasefire. This proposal was reportedly conveyed to Trump after Witkoff met with Dmitriev earlier this month.
This move has been criticized by Ukraine, with President Zelensky saying he addressed the matter with Trump and Ukraine’s allies at the Ramstein summit in Brussels.
**International Response**
The Netherlands is allocating 150 million euros to boost Ukraine’s air defenses, while Lithuania intends to allocate 20 million euros for ammunition purchases. The UK, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and another unnamed country are also ready to send soldiers to support Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Russia’s actions in Ukraine, saying “Russia has to get moving. Too many people are dying, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war.”
**Commentary**
The meeting between Witkoff and Putin is a sign that both sides are willing to engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
However, it remains unclear whether Russia is committed to finding a peaceful solution. The country’s continued attacks on Ukrainian cities and rejection of a complete ceasefire suggest otherwise.
The international community must remain vigilant and continue to support Ukraine as it resists Russia’s ongoing invasion.
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