Trump envoy meets Putin in Russia amid frustration over stalled peace talks

White House envoy Steve Whitkov in Russia was on Friday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin after peace talks with Ukraine stopped in recent weeks, “frustrated” President Donald Trump.

“This is another step in the negotiation process towards the ceasefire,” said White House press secretary Caroline Levitte. “I think the president was completely clear that he felt constantly frustrated on both sides of this conflict, and he wants to see this fighting, and he wants to end the war.”

Russian media construction pictures of the Putin and Witkoff meeting in the presidential library in Saint Petersburg.

Levitt said the United States “benefited” on Ukraine and Russia to pressure them to agree to peace.

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“We believe that we are losing negotiation on a deal … and we will use this leverage. The president is determined to see this,” Levitte said.

Trump demanded that the two sides agree to the immediate ceasefire for 30 days, while they are out of a longer peace deal. Ukraine agreed to this, while Russia did not. President Voludmir Zelinski claimed that Ukraine was found two Chinese men fighting on behalf of Russia within their borders, a development indicating that Russia is receiving direct help from North Korea and China.

Zelinski said that at least 155 Chinese citizens were fighting for Russia, where Putin was accused of “prolonging the war” – asking the Kremlin denied on Thursday, saying that China is taking a “balanced position” to the war and that “Zelinski is wrong.” Fox News Digital has contacted the Russian Ministry of Defense for more comments.

Before meeting Witkev with Russian officials, Trump intensified pressure on Putin, and writing on the social truth: “Russia should move. Many people die, thousands per week, in a terrible and meaningful war – a war that should never have occurred, and will not happen, if you are president !!!”

Trump said on March 31 that he was “angry” with the Russian leader and threatened to put a “secondary tariff” on oil exports in Russia, and a financial life artery for the war effort. This sanctions may mean countries that buy Russian oil or turn on the “shadow fleet” from the tankers that carry oil all over the world in camouflage.

Trump has previously broadcast complaints about Zelinski, also, describing him as “a dictator without elections.” A general meeting in the White House erupted last month to a semi -absolute match where Zelinsky suddenly left the building.

The American -American Ballet dancer Kesenia Karelina has a message to Trump after her launch from Russia

Wittakov speaks with Kirill Dimitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Russian Presidential Envoy for Economic Cooperation with foreign countries, in Saint Petersburg. (Sputnik/Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool via Reuters)

Ukraine has agreed to the unlawful ceasefire and the most specialized maritime ceasefire, but Russia has introduced a new round of demands, including lifting some sanctions.

“We are making progress,” Trump said at the cabinet meeting on Thursday.

The United States and Russia made a deal to exchange prisoners that witnessed the return of the American ballet, the American citizen, and the American citizen Karelina to the United States on Friday. Carlina was sentenced to 12 years in prison at the beginning of the war in 2022 to donate $ 51 to the Ukrainian Charitable Society.

On Thursday, US and Russian officials met in Istanbul to discuss reopens in each other’s embassies.

Saint Petersburg’s meeting was the third meeting of Witkoff with Putin this year. (Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via Reuters)

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Saint Petersburg’s meeting is the third meeting of Witkoff with Putin this year. During the weekend, he will go to Amman to negotiate with Iran in nuclear talks.

Before Friday’s meeting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “there is no need to expect breakthroughs” and “the process of normalizing relationships is ongoing.”

Reuters contributed to this report.