U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff held a four-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Friday, amid renewed calls from President Donald Trump for an urgent ceasefire in Ukraine. The Kremlin described the talks Witkoff’s third with Putin this year as “productive,” focusing on “aspects of a Ukrainian settlement.”
Trump, growing increasingly vocal about the conflict, took to social media to express frustration with Moscow’s lack of action. “Russia has to get moving. Too many people are dying, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war,” he posted.
The diplomatic push comes amid controversy surrounding remarks by Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg. The Times reported that Kellogg suggested the possibility of partitioning Ukraine, comparing it to post-WWII Berlin. Kellogg later rejected the claim, stating his comments were about a “post-ceasefire resiliency force” and not partitioning.
While the White House and Kyiv have yet to respond, the issue has stirred tension. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, visiting the site of a deadly April missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, accused Russia of prolonging the war and claimed that hundreds of Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces—a claim made after Ukraine reportedly captured two Chinese fighters.
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s urgent need for air defence systems, stating they are essential for protecting lives and infrastructure. “Only powerful weapons can truly be relied upon to protect life when you have a neighbour like Russia,” he emphasized.
European nations also pledged €21 billion in new military aid for Kyiv, even as hopes for peace remain distant. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned against expecting breakthroughs, citing the ongoing nature of diplomatic normalization.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high between Trump and Putin. Trump, who previously claimed he could end the war in 24 hours, now says he is “very angry” with Putin over stalled negotiations. Despite disagreements, the U.S. and Russia continue diplomatic contacts, including a recent prisoner swap.
With global powers still at odds, prospects for peace appear uncertain as the conflict enters its third year with no end in sight.
