Putin meets with US presidential envoy, focusing on Ukraine

China News Service, Moscow, October 21 (Reporter Tian Bing) Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. Presidential Envoy Witkov in St. Petersburg on the 21st. The two sides focused on the Ukrainian issue, Russia-U.S. bilateral relations, etc.

Putin thanked the United States for its attention to resolving the Ukrainian crisis and was willing to listen to Witkov's talks on the Ukrainian issue in Oslo, the capital of Norway, on the 20th. He also said that Russia and the United States are willing to explore the restoration of bilateral relations between Russia and the United States and carry out economic cooperation. Putin said that according to the agreement reached by the two parties, Russia's first oil tanker carrying 40,000 tons of diesel will depart within two or three days, and subsequent ships will also depart one after another. He also proposed that Russia could supply a large amount of fertilizers to the U.S. market.

Regarding the Iranian issue, Putin pointed out that Russia and Iran have a special and mutually trusting relationship established over decades. If Russia can be helpful in resolving this crisis, Russia will be very happy to provide help, and the United States is also very aware of Russia's relevant proposals.

Witkov said that this time he brought key documents on concepts related to resolving the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and informed Russia of the results of its talks in Oslo. He considered the Oslo talks to be "productive and achieved some progress." "We hope that we have laid the necessary foundation to successfully achieve a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict." He said he hoped that Russia would consider restarting trilateral negotiations between Russia, the United States and Ukraine in order to explore the next steps to achieve a solution. To this end, he proposed that a technical working group composed of experts could be formed to conduct in-depth research on related issues.

Witkov said that the United States and Russia have huge potential and opportunities in economic and commercial cooperation. He thanked Putin for his decision to lift the ban on diesel exports and thanked Russia for the release of imprisoned American citizen Stephen Hubbard.

Witkov arrived in St. Petersburg on the morning of the 21st. The day before, he held talks on Ukraine issues with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Norwegian Prime Minister Steller, and Finnish President Stubb in Oslo.