Witkoff to Present Updated Ukraine Peace Plan to Putin in St. Petersburg
White House envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg today to present an updated proposal to end the war in Ukraine, a US official said early Wednesday. The US hopes Putin will show more willingness to compromise after Trump agreed to lift sanctions on Russian diesel sales. Witkoff's visit follows talks in Oslo with Ukrainian President Zelensky and Western leaders, where Ukraine proposed new ideas and progress was made on a framework agreement. Zelensky has called for a trilateral meeting with Putin and Trump, which Russia has refused. Meanwhile, a European official criticized the Trump administration as appearing more pro-Russia, saying Putin must be forced into peace. The US is also nearing a deal with Russia on releasing detained Americans.