The Kremlin has issued a vague statement following talks between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, days before Donald Trump’s deadline to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the two sides had exchanged “signals” as part of “constructive” talks in Moscow.
He also said Russia and the US had discussed the possibility of strategic cooperation – but refused to share more until Witkoff had briefed the US president.
The US envoy boarded a flight to the US on Wednesday afternoon, according to Russian media. The talks appeared cordial despite Trump’s mounting irritation with the lack of progress in negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
In images shared by Russian outlets, Witkoff was seen walking around central Moscow with Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev on Wednesday morning.
Later, images showed Putin and Witkoff – who have met several times before – smiling and shaking hands in a gilded hall at the Kremlin.
There was no immediate comment from the US or Ukraine following the talks, which lasted over three hours.
The US president has said Russia could face hefty sanctions or see secondary sanctions imposed against all those who trade with it if it doesn’t take steps to end the “horrible war” with Ukraine.
Shortly after Witkoff’s departure from Moscow, the White House said Trump had signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil.
Credit: bbc.com
