Steve Witkoff has returned to the United States after intense days of negotiations in both Oslo and St. Petersburg.
Donald Trump's envoy described the talks with Russia as "constructive" and insisted that Trump remained actively engaged in efforts to end the war. But he also admitted that a lot of important work remained before a path to peace could even be mapped out.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who met Witkoff for an hour on his plane during a stopover on the way back from Russia, told NRK that he was optimistic.
It will be the first time since February that talks have been held. They will be about the security arrangements that will be put in place after the conflict, he said, adding that the talks would be held “at a high level.”
It's a big step to get this far. There's a lot that needs to be done to make it a reality.
“Nothing substantial”
Earlier, Vladimir Putin had reportedly agreed "in principle" to new talks starting around November 10. Putin's adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters in St. Petersburg that Putin had been briefed on the main points of the Oslo meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and said the Russian side was not entirely impressed with the plans.
He (Witkoff) mentioned some new aspects regarding the attitude of the Europeans and Kyiv, but it was nothing particularly substantial.
While the outcome of the meetings looks set to move the negotiations forward, much of the results were overshadowed by Witkoff's praise of Vladimir Putin. He began the several-hour meeting at the Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg by lavishing praise on the Russian leader.
Putin - a friend of humanity
After Russia released a detained American, 74-year-old Stephen Hubbard, in connection with the meeting, Witkoff told Putin in video clips published by Russian media:
You talk so much about (US) President Trump being a man of humanity. You are also a man of humanity and that honors you. I commend you and thank you.
Witkoff also said the US was pleased that Putin had agreed to start exporting diesel, following a deal announced by Trump this week. The arrangement is intended to curb global fossil fuel prices, but has been heavily criticized for easing pressure on Putin.
The envoy's words on Wednesday did not ease the criticism.
"What the hell, Steve? Take a look at the definition of a humanist," Republican Senator Thom Tillis wrote on X, for example.
What do you think?