4-hour closed-door meeting between Russian President and US Special Envoy

According to Russia's RT, US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned many issues during a closed meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.

Accordingly, this extended meeting was the third meeting between President Putin and White House Special Envoy Witkoff held at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library.

Surprise visit to St. Petersburg

Mr. Witkoff’s latest trip to Russia was unannounced. Air traffic control systems detected a plane associated with the US Special Envoy flying from Florida (USA) to St. Petersburg (Russia) overnight.

He then walked out of a hotel in central St. Petersburg with Russian presidential aide Kirill Dmitriev ahead of the meeting. Previous meetings between Witkoff and Putin have taken place in Moscow.

Kremlin reveals meeting content

The Kremlin confirmed the four-hour discussion focused on aspects of resolving the Ukraine conflict, but declined to provide further details.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that topics of discussion could include the normalization of Russia-US relations, the possibility of a direct meeting between Presidents Putin and Trump, as well as concerns that Moscow would like to convey directly to a trusted representative of the US President.

What did the White House say about the trip?

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Mr. Witkoff's trip was part of President Trump's larger effort on Ukraine.

"I can confirm that Mr. Witkoff is in Russia for direct talks with the Kremlin and with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is another step in the negotiation process toward a ceasefire and a final peace agreement in Russia and Ukraine. As these negotiations are ongoing, obviously I will not be speaking in front of President Trump or his team," Ms. Leavitt stressed.

"I think the President has made it pretty clear that he continues to be frustrated with both sides of this conflict and that he wants the war to end. We believe that we have leverage in negotiating a peace agreement and we will use that leverage. The President is determined to get this done," the White House spokesman stressed, referring to a solution for Ukraine.

Visit of President Putin's envoy to Washington

Witkoff’s trip comes just days after Russian presidential aide Kirill Dmitriev traveled to Washington for talks with senior White House officials. Dmitriev, who advises Putin on international economic cooperation, described the April 11 discussion with Witkoff as “productive” in a post on X, welcoming the U.S. envoy to St. Petersburg.

Current status of negotiations between Russia and the US on Ukraine

According to media sources, in a White House meeting with President Donald Trump last week, Mr. Witkoff argued that recognizing Russian control over the Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions was the fastest way to end the war.

The information was also reported by Reuters and the Kyiv Independent. However, General Keith Kellogg - President Trump's special envoy to Ukraine - is said to have objected, emphasizing that Ukraine will not accept the full concession of territory.

Mr. Witkoff defended his position in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, citing Russian referendums held in these territories. However, the White House meeting ended without Mr. Trump making any decisions, despite the US president repeatedly stating that he wants to reach a ceasefire by next May.

What's the next step?

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said another phone call between Putin and Trump was “theoretically possible” after Witkoff’s visit and depending on the outcome of ongoing negotiations. The two leaders last spoke by phone on March 18, and both have publicly expressed their willingness to meet in person when the time is right.