US envoy Witkoff meets Putin after Zelenskyy talks to propose new Ukraine peace ideas

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to discuss new proposals for ending the Ukraine war, following a "constructive" meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Oslo. A US official said Ukraine brought new ideas that made "meaningful progress" toward a coordinated approach, covering security guarantees, a post-war economic plan, and European security architecture. Witkoff aims to create a pathway toward trilateral and broader multilateral negotiations, though Putin has previously rejected all proposals. The talks occur as US President Donald Trump, facing midterm election losses, has increased pressure on Zelenskyy to accept terms that could surrender Ukraine's sovereignty. Trump has restricted intelligence-sharing, limited Starlink access, and halted weapons supplies, while Witkoff thanked Putin for a diesel deal that Russia claims will lower global prices.