US envoy to meet Putin after 'positive' talks with Zelensky

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, for a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at negotiating an end to the conflict in Ukraine. Envoy Witkoff is preparing to present Putin with an updated, comprehensive peace framework developed in consultation with Ukraine and its European allies.

The diplomatic push follows a period of friction between Washington and Kyiv, during which President Trump has consistently pressured Ukraine to secure a deal to halt the conflict ahead of the approaching winter.