US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday, in what Trump has described as a critical moment for diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Witkoff, a real estate executive turned envoy, has become a key intermediary between Washington and the Kremlin under Trump’s renewed push for a negotiated resolution to the conflict. Friday’s meeting marked his fourth direct engagement with Putin.
Footage released by the Kremlin showed the two exchanging greetings and sitting across from one another at a white oval table.
Putin was joined by senior aides, including foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov and investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who has played an active role in Russia’s backchannel diplomacy with the Trump administration.
The meeting followed a sharp public message from Trump on Thursday, after a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv killed at least 12 people. “Vladimir, STOP!” Trump posted on social media.
Despite the public rebuke, Trump said negotiations were advancing. “This next few days is going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now,” he told reporters. “I think we're going to make a deal ... I think we're getting very close.”
Witkoff’s presence in Moscow underlines the former president’s hands-on approach to foreign policy as he pursues a peace deal while campaigning for re-election.
Russian media, including the outlet Izvestia, published images of Witkoff walking through central Moscow alongside Dmitriev, indicating an atmosphere of open, if informal, dialogue.
While no formal breakthrough has been announced, both sides appear to be positioning for intensified discussions over the coming days.
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