Witkoff meets Putin in St. Petersburg as Russia expert sees slim peace prospects

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, with the Kremlin expecting "serious and lengthy" talks. The meeting follows Witkoff's discussions with Ukrainian and Nordic leaders in Oslo the previous day. Russia expert Hanna Smith from the University of Vaasa said Putin will likely repeat standard rhetoric about wanting peace, but the key question is whether Moscow shows flexibility on its goals. Unlike Ukraine, Russia has given no indication of compromising on its territorial objectives, including the illegally annexed Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. Smith noted that Witkoff's trip signals some communication channel between Ukraine and Russia, but a quick peace remains unlikely. She said Moscow has held the initiative throughout, and only prisoner exchanges have succeeded so far. Smith added that both sides are weary of the war, but Russia won't agree to a ceasefire until it secures maximum gains.