Witkoff arrives in Russia for talks with Putin

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, October 21, for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following talks in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders on ending the war in Ukraine. Witkoff was met at Pulkovo Airport by Russian presidential special representative Kirill Dmitriev. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is expected to join the Witkoff-Putin talks via video link. The previous day, Witkoff and Kushner met with Zelensky and European officials in Oslo, discussing security guarantees, territorial issues, sanctions, and post-war European security architecture. Finnish President Alexander Stubb said "real progress" was achieved on settlement parameters and short-term goals. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Witkoff would deliver proposals prepared by the US and European partners to Putin. According to Axios, Witkoff will present an updated peace plan and hopes to arrange direct talks involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky.