Steve Witkoff discusses U.S.-Russia relations in Moscow meeting with Putin
- Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, held a three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
- During the discussion, topics included trust-building between the U.S. and Russia, as well as the recent release of American Marc Fogel from Russian custody.
- Witkoff expressed optimism about improving U.S.-Russia relations and the potential for American companies to return to Russia if a peace deal is reached.
In early February 2025, Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for President Trump in the Middle East, traveled to Moscow, Russia, to engage in a significant meeting with President Vladimir Putin. This visit, which lasted approximately three and a half hours, was part of Witkoff's trust-building assignment tasked by Trump, aimed at improving U.S.-Russia relations. During this period, Witkoff also sought the release of Marc Fogel, an American serving a lengthy sentence in Russia for traveling with medical marijuana, which was successfully achieved on February 11, 2025. Witkoff's discussions with Putin were primarily focused on enhancing communication and establishing a foundation of trust between the two nations. He emphasized that this meeting was crucial for addressing key issues in U.S.-Russia relations while carrying messages from President Trump. The meeting's length suggested a productive exchange, which Witkoff portrayed as a step towards potential cooperative efforts in various international matters, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. In conjunction with his Moscow visit, Witkoff also participated in discussions with U.S. and Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia, where they agreed to work towards finding an end to the conflict in Ukraine. Although Ukrainian officials were not present, the meeting set a tone for future negotiations, albeit without touching on the lifting of economic sanctions against Russia. Witkoff voiced optimism about the prospects of American companies returning to Russia if a peace agreement were to be established, reflecting Trump's broader agenda. In light of Trump's ongoing public statements, including tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Witkoff's meetings reflect a complex interplay of diplomacy, foreign policy, and economic interests, signaling a potential shift in U.S. strategy regarding its involvement in Ukraine and its relations with Russia. The discussions and outcomes of these meetings are set against the backdrop of continued public and international scrutiny regarding the impacts of U.S. foreign policy decisions. Overall, the meetings that commenced in Moscow and extended to Saudi Arabia hint at new developments in U.S. foreign relations, especially with Russia, as Witkoff works to bridge gaps that have long characterized the two nations' interactions.