Putin talks to Witkoff about the war in Ukraine – and releases US citizens

Russian President Vladimir Putin received US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg to discuss new ways to end the war in Ukraine. Wednesday's meeting, the ninth face-to-face meeting between Witkoff and Putin, began with a goodwill gesture from the Russian side: the release of imprisoned U.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard. The talks come against the backdrop of growing concerns in Kiev about the US becoming increasingly distant under President Donald Trump.

Putin told Witkoff at the start of the meeting that the 74-year-old Hubbard was waiting at the airport to fly back to the United States with the U.S. special envoy. Witkoff thanked the Russian president for this step.

At the time of his sentencing, Hubbard was 72 years old. A former Ukrainian prisoner reported in the fall of 2024 that the US citizen, like many other prisoners, had been tortured with food deprivation and electric shocks.

On Wednesday, the Russian domestic secret service FSB reported the arrest of a German national who is said to have escaped from the Ukrainian armed forces. The FSB said he deserted as a foreign mercenary and sniper after not receiving the promised money, according to the Russian state news agency Tass. A decision will be made about whether to initiate criminal proceedings for mercenary activity, it said. According to the report, the man is said to have served in the Bundeswehr from 1996 to 2010.

Putin discusses war in Ukraine with Witkoff

Meanwhile, the conversation between Putin and Witkoff is said to be about ending the war in Ukraine. Witkoff said there was a basis for a ceasefire. He hopes that Putin will agree to a resumption of negotiations between the three parties - Russia, the USA and Ukraine - reported the Russian news agencies Interfax and Tass.

At the meeting, Putin thanked US President Donald Trump for his efforts to resolve the war. The Kremlin chief emphasized that Russia was interested in restoring economic relations with the USA.

The Russian president also once again proposed a meeting with US President Donald Trump in China. The Kremlin had raised the possibility of a three-way meeting between Putin, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit next month.

Putin also asked about Witkoff's conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described this meeting as positive and announced that Witkoff would present the results to the Russian side. The US negotiator also spoke to top European politicians in Norway on Tuesday. He now wants to submit proposals developed by the Europeans and Americans for a peace solution to the Russian war of aggression to Putin.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) made it clear that giving up Ukraine was not an option. Germany and the Europeans are ready to talk at any time, said Merz in Berlin. “We are not supporting Ukraine in order to prolong this war,” emphasized the Chancellor. "But a surrender - or even an unconditional surrender by Ukraine - is out of the question. Because that would be a surrender from all of us." Therefore, Ukraine will continue to be supported in its own interest.