Leader meetingsGovernment leadersWar activitySanctions
Witkoff asks Putin to resume direct peace talks, Russia releases U.S. detainee
White House envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow the resumption of trilateral peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. in order to reach an end to the war. Why it matters: The White House hopes Putin will show more willingness to compromise after President Trump agreed to lift sanctions on Russian diesel sales and took other steps welcomed by Moscow.Driving the news: Witkoff presented Putin with an updated proposal to end the war in Ukraine during a meeting in St. Petersburg.Before the meeting, Russia released U.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard, 74