Trump’s Envoy Witkoff Meets Putin for 4th Time, Kremlin Says There Was Progress

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with US President Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (L) before a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 25 April 2025. (EPA/Kristina Kormilitsyna / Sputnik / Kremlin)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with US President Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (L) before a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 25 April 2025. (EPA/Kristina Kormilitsyna / Sputnik / Kremlin)
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Trump’s Envoy Witkoff Meets Putin for 4th Time, Kremlin Says There Was Progress

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with US President Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (L) before a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 25 April 2025. (EPA/Kristina Kormilitsyna / Sputnik / Kremlin)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with US President Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (L) before a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 25 April 2025. (EPA/Kristina Kormilitsyna / Sputnik / Kremlin)

US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met President Vladimir Putin for three hours in Moscow on Friday to discuss the US plan to end the Ukraine war, and the Kremlin said the two sides' positions had moved closer.

Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, who took part in the meeting, described it as constructive and very useful.

"This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on a number of other international issues," he told reporters.

"As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion focused in particular on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine."

Russia and Ukraine have not held direct talks since the early weeks of the war, which started in February 2022.

There was no immediate comment from Witkoff on the outcome of the meeting.

Witkoff has emerged as Washington's key interlocutor with Putin as Trump pushes for a deal to end the war, now well into its fourth year, and has already had three long meetings with the Kremlin leader.

His latest trip follows talks this week at which Ukrainian and European officials pushed back against some of the US proposals for how to settle the conflict, the deadliest in Europe since World War Two.



Macron Announces Joint French-German Defense Council

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 07 May 2025. EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 07 May 2025. EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE
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Macron Announces Joint French-German Defense Council

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 07 May 2025. EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 07 May 2025. EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday the creation of a "French-German defense and security council" as Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Paris.

"We will set up a French-German defense and security council to meet regularly to bring operational responses to our common strategic challenges," Macron said at a joint press conference, as Europe seeks to boost its defenses amid Russia's war against Ukraine and doubts over US security commitments to Europe.

Macron said that he doubted Vladimir Putin would respect a three-day truce in Ukraine and wondered if the Russian leader was "serious" about a durable peace.

"Beyond the three days promised, which will undoubtedly not be respected, like the previous ones, is the Russian president finally serious?" Macron said at the news conference. "Will he finally decide to keep his word, especially the promises he made in his discussions with the US administration? That is what matters to us."

Merz said for his part he was hopeful that a permanent ceasefire could be agreed soon for Ukraine but held back on making any commitments for Ukraine's security.
"We will be there to accompany this 30-day cease fire and build a lasting and solid peace. And we (France and Germany) are in close contact," Macron added.