Today's meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Uitkoff, discussed the cessation of the war in Ukraine, the resumption of trilateral talks, economic cooperation between Moscow and Washington, and the situation in the Middle East. During the meeting, the supply of diesel fuel to the US and the release of an American prisoner were also among the notable points.
Modern.az reports that Russia's "Kommersant" publication released information on this matter.
The meeting, held on October 21 at the Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg, focused primarily on ways to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. In addition, the parties discussed the possibilities for developing economic relations between Russia and the US after the war.
What proposals did Uitkoff bring from Oslo to Moscow?
Before the meeting, Steve Uitkoff held contacts in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as the leaders of Norway and Finland. The US representative participated in discussions on the Ukrainian issue before starting talks with Russia.
Uitkoff described the talks in Oslo as productive and stated that a basis for progress towards resolving the conflict had been created. According to him, opportunities exist to achieve a ceasefire.
The US president's special envoy also announced that he brought documents to Russia reflecting approaches to resolving the conflict. He asked Putin to familiarize himself with these documents.
One of Uitkoff's notable proposals was the resumption of trilateral talks involving Russia, the US, and Ukraine. He stated that expert groups could participate in such meetings to discuss technical issues related to resolving the conflict.
However, the state of direct contacts between Moscow and Kyiv remains one of the factors complicating the resolution of the issue.
Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov stated that the recent talks were held without the participation of Volodymyr Zelensky, and Moscow had no contact with the Ukrainian president.
Putin thanked Trump for his initiatives
During the meeting, Vladimir Putin thanked US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump for their attention to the issue of resolving the Ukrainian conflict.
The Russian president stated that during their last phone conversation, Trump emphasized the importance of ending the war and stopping human casualties.
Putin also touched upon the future of relations between Moscow and Washington. According to him, prospects exist for the development of economic ties between the two countries after the Ukrainian conflict ends.
This statement indicates that the meeting was not limited to military-political issues. The parties also keep on the agenda how economic cooperation can be established in the post-conflict period.
Uitkoff also stated that Ukraine should understand the economic opportunities that could arise after the war ends.
40 thousand tons of diesel fuel to be sent to the US
One of the notable points of the meeting was the issue of diesel fuel supply between Russia and the US.
Putin stated that Russia is ready to supply large volumes of fertilizers to the US market. He also noted that after the decision on diesel fuel, prices in world markets fell by 5-6 percent.
According to the Russian president, the first tanker loaded with 40 thousand tons of diesel fuel for shipment to the US is being prepared. The ship is expected to depart within two to three days.
Uitkoff thanked Putin on behalf of Donald Trump for the decision regarding diesel fuel. According to him, this step could help create favorable conditions for farmers and truck drivers in the US.
Thus, against the backdrop of diplomatic contacts regarding the resolution of the Ukrainian war, energy and trade issues have also emerged as important directions of the Russia-US dialogue.
The Iran crisis was also a topic of discussion
During the meeting, Putin also touched upon the situation in the Middle East and the crisis around Iran.
The Russian president recalled the long-standing relations between Moscow and Tehran and stated that Russia is ready to contribute to resolving the crisis if opportunities arise.
This statement indicates Moscow's intention to discuss international problems beyond the Ukrainian issue within the framework of talks with the US.
American convicted in Russia released
Among the results of the meeting was the release of American Stephen Habard.
Putin stated that the US citizen, convicted in Russia on charges of mercenary activity, has been released and is at Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg.
According to "Kommersant," Habard was sentenced in October 2024 to six years and ten months in a general regime penal colony.
According to the investigation's version, he joined the territorial defense forces in Izyum, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, in February 2022 and participated in combat operations on the Ukrainian side.
Steve Uitkoff thanked Putin for his release.
Trump's other representative did not attend the meeting
From the Russian side, Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov and the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, presidential special envoy Kirill Dmitriev, participated in the talks.
Donald Trump's son-in-law and other special envoy, Jared Kushner, could not travel to St. Petersburg due to illness.
According to Ushakov, the meeting between Putin and Uitkoff was planned in advance, and preparations lasted several days. He emphasized that the event was not unexpected for the organizers.
It should be noted that Kushner participated in the contacts in Oslo via video link. According to "Axios," during those meetings, Trump's demand to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries was also conveyed to the Ukrainian side.
Thus, the St. Petersburg meeting between Putin and Uitkoff focused on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, the possible resumption of trilateral talks, energy supplies, and economic relations. However, the proposal to continue talks does not yet mean that the war will end or that a ceasefire agreement has been reached.
