Putin and Witkoff meet in St. Petersburg as Oslo talks continue

US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, with the outcome of the three-hour meeting at Konstantinovsky Palace still unknown. The meeting followed peace talks in Oslo involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj and US officials. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin is willing to resume peace talks with Ukraine in November, with Abu Dhabi suggested as a possible venue. Witkoff told Putin there is a basis for a ceasefire and delivered a concrete proposal document, while also thanking him for a diesel supply agreement. Witkoff returned to Oslo afterward to brief Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The US also announced the release of American Stephen Hubbard from Russian custody, and Trump linked the release to his decision not to impose new sanctions on Russia.