The US presidential envoy will reportedly skip the meeting with Ukrainian officials in London
President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia later this week, according to the White House.
Witkoff, who has engaged in several discussions with high-ranking Russian officials, including at least three meetings with Putin, is considered a key figure in fostering improved relations between Moscow and Washington during Trump’s second term. Russian presidential advisor Yury Ushakov verified the reports of Witkoff’s impending visit on Tuesday.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters that both Trump and Witkoff “wanted everybody to know that the negotiations continue.”
“We feel, again, we are hopefully moving in the right direction, and the special envoy Steve Witkoff will be heading to Russia again later this week to continue talks with Vladimir Putin,” Leavitt stated.
The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that the US might formally recognize Crimea as Russian territory and potentially ease sanctions against Moscow. Simultaneously, the Financial Times suggested that Russia might be willing to cease hostilities along the current battle lines.
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned that “ are being published now, including by respected publications,” and advised the public to rely on official sources for updates on US-Russian discussions regarding the Ukraine conflict.
Russia has consistently maintained that any peace agreement must address the “root causes” of the conflict, including NATO’s expansion eastward and Ukraine’s ambitions to join the US-led alliance. Moscow has also insisted that Ukraine must recognize Crimea, as well as the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, and the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, as part of Russia.