Trump Administration Seeks Progress After Renewed Tensions With Ukraine’s Leadership

SAINT PETERSBURG: (News Desk) – US special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday following what Washington described as “very productive and constructive” talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The visit is part of diplomatic efforts by US President Donald Trump’s administration to ease tensions with Kyiv and advance negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Zelensky met Witkoff in Oslo on Tuesday and thanked Washington for resuming the sharing of intelligence on Russian strikes. He said early warnings of potential ballistic missile attacks were crucial for protecting civilians, including children.

The positive tone followed several days of friction between Kyiv and Washington over the war. Trump had criticised Zelensky for refusing to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries and called for a change in Ukraine’s leadership. The US president has also urged Kyiv to reach an agreement with Moscow.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, whose country hosted Tuesday’s discussions, said Witkoff would travel next to Saint Petersburg. A US official told AFP that Witkoff’s meeting with Putin would also involve Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who was expected to participate virtually after falling ill with the flu.

According to the official, Ukraine presented new ideas and proposals during the discussions with Witkoff and Kushner.

Dispute Over Military Support

Relations between Washington and Kyiv have deteriorated amid disagreements over military assistance, intelligence sharing and the terms of a potential peace deal.

Zelensky has accused the United States of delaying the delivery of interceptor missiles and withholding intelligence needed by Ukrainian forces. He told US senators on Monday that missiles purchased by European countries were awaiting approval from US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The Ukrainian president also said several European countries were prepared to transfer Patriot interceptor missiles from their own stockpiles but were waiting for US authorisation.

Trump has denied ordering a reduction in the speed of Starlink services used by Ukraine. The dispute intensified after Elon Musk, whose company SpaceX developed Starlink, said an order to reduce speeds could only have come from the White House. The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Musk had ordered a slowdown affecting the military-grade version of the satellite service.

Ukraine has expressed concern over the impact of any restrictions on satellite communications used by its forces, including operations in Russian-occupied territories.

Pressure for a Negotiated Settlement

Witkoff’s planned meeting with Putin follows diplomatic efforts in Washington, Kyiv and other Western capitals to ease the dispute and keep negotiations moving.

Trump has repeatedly pressed Zelensky to reach an agreement with Russia, while criticising what he considers insufficient efforts by the Ukrainian leader to resolve the conflict. Kyiv, meanwhile, has stressed the importance of continued US intelligence and military support as Russian attacks continue.

The outcome of Witkoff’s discussions with Putin could provide further indications of Washington’s approach to negotiations, although no agreement was announced in the information provided.