Putin, Trump envoy discuss Ukraine peace process and Persian Gulf situation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff held a three-hour meeting in St. Petersburg on Wednesday to discuss the Ukraine peace process, the Persian Gulf situation and bilateral ties, Russian media reported.

The meeting took place at Constantine Palace.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, the two also discussed possible arrangements for a meeting between Putin and Trump in China.

Putin thanked Witkoff and Trump for their efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. He also asked Witkoff to convey his gratitude to US First Lady Melania Trump for her work on humanitarian issues.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Putin expressed interest in discussing plans to restore Russia-US relations, including economic cooperation.

“If you would be willing to share them, I would also be very interested to hear your assessments of the situation in the Middle East and around Iran. You know that we have a special relationship of trust with Iran, with our Iranian partners and friends, built over decades. If we can do anything at all to help resolve this crisis, we will gladly do so. You are also well aware of our proposals in this regard,” Putin was quoted as saying.

The discussions also covered a diesel deal and the release of American citizen Stephen Hubbard, TASS reported.

On Tuesday, Trump said he had personally discussed Hubbard's release with Putin and suggested there could be developments within days.

Separately, Trump warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that delaying a peace agreement could leave Ukraine in a weaker position as Russian forces continued to gain territory.

“Russia's a big machine. They just keep grinding forward, and that's what they've done,” Trump said.

He argued that Russia's larger population gave it an advantage in sustaining the conflict and said Ukraine faced mounting casualties and demographic constraints.

“Ukraine has to want to settle this war. Zelensky has to want to settle this war. And if he doesn't, I think it's going to be a very bad thing,” Trump said. He added that Kyiv could have secured more favourable terms in earlier discussions with Washington.