White House clarifies the objective of envoy's trip to Russia
Steve Witkoff's visit to Russia aims to enhance direct communication between the United States and the Kremlin, part of a wider initiative to negotiate a ceasefire and eventual peace in the Ukraine conflict, according to White House spokeswoman...
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Steve Witkoff's visit to Russia aims to enhance direct communication between the United States and the Kremlin, part of a wider initiative to negotiate a ceasefire and eventual peace in the Ukraine conflict, according to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt on Friday.
Witkoff, a close associate of former US President Donald Trump, has been appointed as Trump's special envoy to help improve relations with Russia. His meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg marks Witkoff's third engagement since February, when he played a key role in negotiating a prisoner exchange that both Washington and Moscow viewed as a gesture of goodwill. He also participated in a high-level US delegation that met with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia last month regarding discussions on the Ukraine crisis.
"I can confirm that Mr. Witkoff is in Russia to have direct communications with the Kremlin and with Vladimir Putin," Leavitt stated during a press briefing.
"This is another step in the negotiating process towards a ceasefire and an ultimate peace deal in Russia and Ukraine," she added, though she refrained from providing additional specifics. "As these negotiations are ongoing, I obviously will not get ahead of the president or his team. But I think the president has been quite clear that he’s been continually frustrated with both sides of this conflict, and he wants to see this fighting end."
Ahead of the Friday meeting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the length of talks would be flexible and could last “an hour, or two, three or four; as long as President Putin requires.”
Last week, Witkoff had a meeting with Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian presidential aide, in Washington. Dmitriev, who leads the Russian Direct Investment Fund and advises Putin on international economic matters, was seen leaving a hotel in St. Petersburg with Witkoff earlier in the day.
Peskov cautioned against expecting substantial breakthroughs from the meeting but indicated that the discussions could involve normalizing bilateral ties, potential face-to-face meetings between the two presidents, and the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
Witkoff, a close associate of former US President Donald Trump, has been appointed as Trump's special envoy to help improve relations with Russia. His meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg marks Witkoff's third engagement since February, when he played a key role in negotiating a prisoner exchange that both Washington and Moscow viewed as a gesture of goodwill. He also participated in a high-level US delegation that met with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia last month regarding discussions on the Ukraine crisis.
"I can confirm that Mr. Witkoff is in Russia to have direct communications with the Kremlin and with Vladimir Putin," Leavitt stated during a press briefing.
"This is another step in the negotiating process towards a ceasefire and an ultimate peace deal in Russia and Ukraine," she added, though she refrained from providing additional specifics. "As these negotiations are ongoing, I obviously will not get ahead of the president or his team. But I think the president has been quite clear that he’s been continually frustrated with both sides of this conflict, and he wants to see this fighting end."
Ahead of the Friday meeting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the length of talks would be flexible and could last “an hour, or two, three or four; as long as President Putin requires.”
Last week, Witkoff had a meeting with Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian presidential aide, in Washington. Dmitriev, who leads the Russian Direct Investment Fund and advises Putin on international economic matters, was seen leaving a hotel in St. Petersburg with Witkoff earlier in the day.
Peskov cautioned against expecting substantial breakthroughs from the meeting but indicated that the discussions could involve normalizing bilateral ties, potential face-to-face meetings between the two presidents, and the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
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