Witkoff Meets Putin as Moscow Rules Out Political Concessions on Ukraine

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, a day after what Secretary of State Marco Rubio called "positive" discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Oslo. During the meeting, Putin announced the release of American prisoner Stephen Hubbard, DW reported.

The release was seen as a goodwill gesture. Even so, Moscow said ahead of the talks that it would not make political concessions, and the Kremlin repeated that it wants a lasting settlement rather than a temporary pause in fighting, according to Euronews.

What happened in St. Petersburg

According to DW, Putin said Hubbard was at the airport, and Witkoff said he was now heading home to his family. Hubbard was captured by Russian forces and convicted on mercenary charges, which he denies. He received a seven-year prison sentence at a closed trial in 2024.

Witkoff told Putin he had brought papers containing ideas for a possible peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, DW reported. Putin suggested discussing the restoration of ties between Washington and Moscow, as well as possible three-way talks in Beijing among President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and himself. DW described the session as the ninth round of talks between Witkoff and Putin.

Al Jazeera reported that Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who joined the Oslo talks virtually because of illness, was also expected to take part remotely.

Moscow's position: economic openings, no political price

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would study the proposals from Witkoff and Kushner. According to Russian media remarks cited by Euronews, he said Russia would welcome anything that benefits it economically and financially, but only without political concessions. He told DW's readers, through the outlet's reporting, that he did not expect a "miracle."

Lavrov also described the United States as at best a competitor and warned that a future American administration could reverse any economic concessions, Euronews reported.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of a temporary halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, despite Trump's earlier announcement of an energy ceasefire. "We need peace, not a ceasefire," Peskov said. Euronews noted that Russia continues to strike Ukraine's energy system ahead of winter. Peskov also acknowledged that the issue cannot be fully resolved without someone from Kyiv taking part.

Kyiv and Washington: pressure and a demand for a seat

Zelenskyy has insisted that any discussion of Ukraine's future must include Ukraine at the negotiating table. After meeting Witkoff, he thanked Washington for resuming intelligence-sharing on incoming Russian strikes, saying early warnings of ballistic missile attacks are vital for protecting civilians, according to Euronews. Al Jazeera noted that Zelenskyy had earlier accused the U.S. of suspending that intelligence.

Trump, speaking at the White House on Tuesday, again said Zelenskyy needs to "make a deal." Al Jazeera reported that Trump has shown growing frustration with the Ukrainian leader in recent weeks and has suggested someone else should negotiate for Kyiv. Euronews said tensions have also been fed by Trump's criticism of Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities and by reports of delays in Patriot interceptor missile deliveries that European countries have already paid for.

Rubio said Witkoff would carry the ideas discussed in Oslo to the Russian side. The Oslo talks also included the prime ministers of Norway and Finland and representatives of the European Union and NATO, Al Jazeera reported, with a focus on ways to end the war and on security guarantees for Ukraine.

Why it matters beyond the negotiating room

For Americans, the most immediate result is personal: Hubbard, a U.S. citizen serving a seven-year sentence, is now on his way home. The wider talks bear on a war that has lasted more than four and a half years, and on fuel markets. Euronews reported that Trump struck a diesel agreement with Putin and criticized the effect of Ukrainian strikes on Russia's energy sector on global fuel prices.

The positions also remain far apart on the central question. Moscow says it is open to economic discussions with Washington but not to political concessions, while Kyiv says it must be involved in any talks that decide its future.

What's next

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Witkoff plans to return to Oslo for further consultations after the St. Petersburg trip. Støre told Norwegian broadcaster NRK he thinks the talks may have entered a phase in which Russia is also looking for diplomatic opportunities. Zelenskyy remained in Oslo on Wednesday and met lawmakers in the Norwegian parliament, DW reported.

Sources: Euronews, DW, Al Jazeera