21.10.2026 16:50
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff discussed critical topics in St. Petersburg. At the meeting, where new peace documents aimed at ending the Ukraine war were presented, energy and trade relations between Russia and the US also came to the fore. Putin announced that the first tanker carrying 40,000 tons of diesel would set off within 2-3 days, while Witkoff called for the resumption of trilateral peace talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US President Donald Trump’s representative Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg. The meeting discussed new peace proposals aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, Russia-US relations, and diesel fuel shipments. Putin announced that, under the agreement reached with the US, the first tanker carrying 40,000 tons of diesel would set off within 2-3 days. Witkoff thanked Putin for Russia’s release of US citizen Stephen Hubbard.
PUTIN AND WITKOFF MEET IN ST. PETERSBURG
Russian President Vladimir Putin received US negotiator Steve Witkoff at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg. Putin’s Foreign Policy Adviser Yuri Ushakov and Special Representative Kirill Dmitriev were also present at the meeting.
Referring to Witkoff’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Norway, Putin said he wanted to receive information about the results of the meeting. Thanking US President Donald Trump for his efforts to end the war in Ukraine, Putin emphasized that the conflict leads to both military casualties and suffering experienced by civilians.
Putin also said he wanted to convey his thanks to Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, for her contributions to resolving humanitarian issues.
IRAN AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST ALSO ON THE AGENDA
Putin said the meeting would also address the further development of bilateral relations and economic cooperation between Russia and the US.
Stating that he wanted to hear assessments regarding developments in the Middle East and around Iran, Putin said Russia has special relations with Iran going back many years. Putin expressed readiness to take steps that could contribute to resolving the crisis in the region.
It was stated that, along with the crises in Ukraine and the Persian Gulf, a possible meeting with Trump in China could also come onto the agenda at the talks.
US CITIZEN STEPHEN HUBBARD RELEASED
At the beginning of the meeting, Steve Witkoff announced that Russia had released 75-year-old US citizen and retired teacher Stephen Hubbard, who had been convicted on charges of mercenary activity.
Witkoff thanked Putin on behalf of the US for Hubbard’s release. Putin said Hubbard was at that time at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg.
WITKOFF: TALKS IN OSLO WERE PRODUCTIVE
Witkoff said the talks held in Norway’s capital, Oslo, were productive and that progress had been made.
Calling for discussion of next steps to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Witkoff also raised a proposal to restart trilateral talks with the participation of Russia, Ukraine, and the US.
Witkoff said technical groups of experts could take part in possible negotiations and that the parties needed to assess in detail the steps to be taken toward a solution.
He said that trade agreements and possibilities for economic cooperation between the US and Russia could also create new opportunities in relations between the two countries.
HE THANKED FOR THE DIESEL FUEL AGREEMENT
Witkoff thanked Putin for the decision to lift sanctions on diesel fuel exports.
Noting that the decision would enable the sale of diesel fuel in the US and global markets, Witkoff said this could have positive results, especially for farmers and truck drivers who use diesel fuel.
Drawing attention to the fact that the global economy is going through a difficult period, Witkoff said important results could be achieved if the two countries cooperate.
NEW PEACE DOCUMENTS PRESENTED TO RUSSIA
Witkoff announced that they had presented Putin with various documents containing approaches to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Asking Putin to review the documents, Witkoff also stated that he planned to include Jared Kushner in the conversation by phone and have him share some of his ideas.
PUTIN: FIRST TANKER WILL CARRY 40,000 TONS OF DIESEL
Putin said that after the agreement on diesel fuel shipments, diesel prices on world markets fell by 5-6 percent.
Stating that shipment preparations are continuing, Putin announced that the first tanker would set off within 2-3 days with a cargo of 40,000 tons of diesel, and that subsequent vessels would join the shipment in turn.
Putin emphasized the importance of providing the necessary financing for the shipment to take place without problems. He also stated that Russia could supply large quantities of fertilizer to US farmers.