US President Donald Trump increased pressure on Russia in an effort to negotiate a ceasefire for the ongoing war in Ukraine, coinciding with a meeting between an American envoy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump emphasized the urgency for Russia to take action, expressing dismay over the casualties and condemning the war as unnecessary. Putin concluded discussions with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg, according to the Kremlin.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that the meeting with Witkoff provided an opportunity for Russia to convey its stance to Trump, though he cautioned against expecting immediate breakthroughs. This marked the third meeting between Putin and Witkoff, who plays a crucial role in Trump's endeavors to end the conflict. Previous visits led to phone conversations between the two leaders.
Earlier that day, Witkoff met with Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev in St. Petersburg, followed by talks in Washington. Dmitriev mentioned a mutual understanding between the US and Russia on finalizing an agreement to resolve the conflict.
Efforts to reach a ceasefire have hit a standstill since discussions in Saudi Arabia last month. Russia's condition for accepting a potential truce brokered by the US includes the reconnection of one of its major state banks to the SWIFT system under EU oversight in the Black Sea region.
Both Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of violating a 30-day moratorium on attacks on energy infrastructure, set to expire on April 18.
Witkoff, serving as Trump's envoy for the Middle East, is scheduled to participate in mediated talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman. Witkoff previously met with Putin for over three hours in Moscow, which resulted in the release of an American citizen. Subsequent discussions between Putin and Trump followed.
In recent developments, Putin met the US envoy again last month, leading to additional meetings among US, Russian, and Ukrainian negotiators in Saudi Arabia to discuss the Black Sea ceasefire.