Witkoff visited Putin at the Constantine Palace in Saint Petersburg while Kushner attended virtually, according to a US official who spoke to Al Jazeera. The envoys, who have taken a leading role in conflict negotiations under President Donald Trump, proposed a "trilateral meeting at the technical level" focused on guaranteeing security for both Ukraine and Russia once the war ends. The Ukrainians accepted the offer during a meeting in Oslo, Norway, the previous day.
The Kremlin said the new talks may take place in Abu Dhabi and could start as soon as next month. The last US-mediated peace talks occurred in February, just before the US and Israel launched their war against Iran.
Wednesday's meeting began with Russia freeing Stephen Hubbard, 74, a retired teacher arrested in 2022 and sentenced to more than six years in prison after being accused of being a Ukrainian mercenary. The US had argued he was wrongfully detained. Trump, who made a direct appeal to Putin for Hubbard's release, posted on social media that Russia did not ask for a prisoner swap "out of respect for" him. A US official said Trump spoke with Hubbard by phone and reiterated his commitment to bringing home all Americans wrongfully detained abroad.
During the meeting, Witkoff told Putin: "You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that. I commend you." The comment sparked bipartisan backlash. Republican Senator Thom Tillis responded on social media: "WTF, Steve? ... You should go back to Ukraine and ask the families of the children Putin has kidnapped and murdered whether they agree your friend Putin is a 'humanitarian'." Senator John Cornyn called Putin "stone cold killer", and Democrat Mark Kelly labeled him a "war criminal".
The Trump administration defended Witkoff. Vice President JD Vance said: "I agree with Steve Witkoff saying something nice to a person who just released an American hostage." Trump himself called it a "good saying" for the specific purpose of securing Hubbard's release.
The Kremlin also said a possible meeting between Trump, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping was discussed. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that if confirmed, it could take place next month on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in China. "No specific proposals or agreements were discussed or put forward by anyone," Peskov added.