US Envoy Steve Witkoff Arrives in Oslo Following St. Petersburg Talks With Vladimir Putin
US special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Oslo on Wednesday to brief Norwegian and Ukrainian leaders after a three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, Aftenposten reported.
Putin Proposes November Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi
During Wednesday’s meeting at the Konstantinovskiy Palace in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin told US envoy Steve Witkoff that Russia is in principle willing to resume peace talks with Ukraine in November. According to Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov, reported by Reuters, Abu Dhabi has been put forward by Moscow as a potential meeting place around November 10. Ushakov stated that any future negotiations should focus on securing post-conflict security guarantees for both Russia and Ukraine.
Witkoff informed Putin that a basis exists for a ceasefire, presenting a concrete document containing proposed solutions. The meeting also addressed economic ties, with Putin suggesting potential trade discussions and larger fertilizer deliveries to the United States. During the same visit, the Russian state news agency Tass announced that the first tanker carrying Russian diesel to the United States is scheduled to depart on Thursday, fulfilling an agreement struck earlier in the month by President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Strong Reactions to Witkoff Remarks and Economic Deals
Steve Witkoff faced immediate backlash after a video published by Russian Pool captured the US envoy thanking Vladimir Putin and referring to him as a humanitarian. In the clip, Witkoff praised the Russian leader by telling him that President Donald Trump is a humanist and that Putin is one as well. The remarks drew sharp public incredulity, coming just a day after a one-year-old child in a stroller was killed in a Russian attack on Kharkiv, as documented by Ukrainian police.
The newly announced diesel delivery agreement between Washington and Kyiv’s adversary has likewise drawn intense condemnation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj labeled the arrangement a “gift” to Putin. Simultaneously, President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social that American citizen Stephen Hubbard was released from Russian captivity as part of the diplomatic exchanges, noting that the release would not have occurred if the US had imposed new sanctions on Moscow.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Saint Petersburg where he's due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. It's the latest in series of high-level talks to end the war in Ukraine.Al Jazeera’s Yulia Shapovalova reports. pic.twitter.com/Y7pblrLoBD
Oslo Meetings Involving Zelenskyj, Støre, and Stubb
Prior to his trip to St. Petersburg, Steve Witkoff held discussions in Oslo on Tuesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Jonas Gahr Støre. Støre met Witkoff at Oslo Gardermoen Airport on Wednesday afternoon as the envoy returned from Russia to deliver a debriefing on the St. Petersburg talks.
Storting Masud Gharahkhani assured Zelenskyj during his visit to the Norwegian parliament that political parties in Norway stand united in their support for Ukraine.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Oslo and St. Petersburg Talks
What did Steve Witkoff present to Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg?
Steve Witkoff delivered a concrete document containing proposed solutions for Ukraine during his three-hour meeting with Vladimir Putin at the Konstantinovskiy Palace, according to reporting cited by Reuters.
When and where might the next round of peace talks take place?
Russian presidential adviser Yury Ushakov stated that Moscow is willing to resume talks in November, pointing to Abu Dhabi as a possible venue around November 10, with negotiations expected to center on post-conflict security guarantees.
What prompted the release of American citizen Stephen Hubbard?
President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that Stephen Hubbard, who was sentenced in Russia in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison, was released in connection with the diplomatic engagements between US and Russian officials, noting that new sanctions would have halted the negotiations.
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