Russian President Vladimir Putin met late on March 13 with Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
According to Peskov, “Russia was given additional information” during the meeting at the Kremlin, while Putin, in turn, passed along information and “additional signals” for Trump through Witkoff.
He added that both sides agree on the need for direct talks between Putin and Trump, which are expected to take place after Witkoff briefs the U.S. president. Peskov did not specify a timeline.
Peskov also said that “there are certainly grounds for cautious optimism” regarding negotiations for a ceasefire in Ukraine. According to him, Putin supports Trump’s position “on settling the conflict” but “raised certain questions that require joint solutions.” “There is still much work to be done,” he added.
On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his social network Truth Social: “We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday.” He did not clarify whether he was referring to Witkoff’s meeting or if he had personally spoken with the Russian leader.
“[T]here is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end — BUT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION,” Trump continued. “I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared.”
