**US Envoy Meets Putin in St Petersburg Amid Ukraine Conflict**
In a bid to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. The meeting, which lasted over four hours, focused on aspects of a Ukrainian settlement.
Witkoff’s visit comes as Donald Trump, the US president, urged Putin to “get moving” on a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump has expressed frustration over the progress of talks, stating that too many people are dying each week in the conflict.
Meanwhile, Europe’s defense ministers agreed on a €21 billion military aid package for Kyiv earlier on Friday. The aid is seen as crucial in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s invasion.
**Partitioning Ukraine?**
The meeting between Witkoff and Putin has raised questions about Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg’s comments on partitioning Ukraine. In an interview with The Times, Kellogg suggested that the country could be divided into zones of control, with British and French troops patrolling the west and Russia maintaining a presence in the east.
Kellogg later denied these claims, stating that he was referring to a post-ceasefire resiliency force in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty. However, his comments have sparked concern among Ukrainian officials, who fear that such proposals could be used as a pretext for further aggression from Russia.
**China Accused of Supporting Russia**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Kremlin of prolonging the war during a visit to the site of a Russian missile attack on his hometown. He alleged that at least several hundred Chinese nationals were fighting with the Russian army, citing Ukraine’s capture of two Chinese nationals.
Russian officials have denied these claims, stating that they are “far from the truth.” However, Zelensky reiterated his call for air defense systems to protect lives and cities, saying that only powerful weapons can be relied upon in the face of Russia’s aggression.
**Trump Weighs In**
Donald Trump has weighed in on the conflict, stating that it would not have happened if he had been president at the time. He also claimed that the war should never have occurred and that he could end the conflict “in 24 hours.”
However, his relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains strained, with Trump having a fractious meeting with him in February.
**A Long Road Ahead**
As the conflict continues to simmer, it is clear that there are many hurdles to overcome before a lasting peace can be achieved. The US and Russia have been working towards restoring full diplomatic relations, but progress has been slow.
The prisoner swap earlier this week was seen as a positive step, but much more needs to be done to bring an end to the suffering in Ukraine.
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