РУССКИЙ
0:24 22.10.2026 •
Yury Ushakov
Photo: RAI Novosti
Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov: Good afternoon, colleagues,
Today, at the Constantine Palace in St Petersburg, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin received the US President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. This was a scheduled meeting that had been agreed upon several days ago. As before, Jared Kushner was also expected to participate but was unable to travel due to health reasons. However, a videoconference link was arranged, allowing him to share his assessments and views on the issues under discussion.
I would like to note that this marks the ninth meeting between our President and US representatives, a useful addition to regular telephone conversations held between the Presidents of Russia and the United States.
At the outset, in the presence of the media, our President and Steve Witkoff outlined the issues they intended to raise during the conversation and shared their assessments of the current state of dialogue between the two countries.
For my part, I would like to add that, as always, the conversation was substantive and candid and lasted nearly three hours.
This time, the meeting between the Russian President and Steve Witkoff was preceded by the US envoy’s talks in Oslo with Vladimir Zelensky and representatives of a number of European countries, NATO and the European Commission. Naturally, Steve Witkoff briefed Vladimir Putin on the substance of the talks in Oslo, shared his observations and highlighted certain new approaches and elements in the positions of the European side and Kiev, although there was little in them that could help resolve the Ukraine crisis.
The situation in and regarding Ukraine was, understandably, also the central topic of our President’s conversation with Steve Witkoff. Following up on the telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on October 9, the two sides continued their exchange of views on ways to achieve a durable and lasting peace.
The Russian President expressed high appreciation for the mediation efforts of the US Administration, Donald Trump personally and his special envoys in seeking mutually acceptable solutions.
It is important to note that the possible resumption of trilateral talks involving representatives of Russia, the United States and Ukraine was specifically discussed. As is well known, the planned resumption of these talks immediately after the elections to the State Duma was thwarted by the Ukrainian regime itself, which launched strikes on an enormous scale on the main voting day, targeting Moscow, other cities, polling stations and election commission members, several of whom were killed.
The situation was analysed once again, particularly in light of the signals received from the United States. Our President informed Steve Witkoff that, in principle, Russia is ready to resume the trilateral talks around the 10th of November to discuss the main issue. This concerns the establishment of a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the end of the conflict. The US representative noted that President Donald Trump would undoubtedly welcome such a decision.
Of course, Vladimir Putin gave his counterpart an objective picture of the situation on the line of contact, where the strategic initiative remains entirely with Russian troops. It was noted that they are conducting a continuous offensive along the main axes and, moreover, as a retaliatory measure, are effectively destroying military-industrial, energy and logistics facilities in Ukraine.
It should be noted that Vladimir Putin asked Steve Witkoff to convey his appreciation to US First Lady Melania Trump for her humanitarian efforts, specifically regarding the reunification of children with their families, and for her mediation in resolving a critical situation in the Russian town of Alyoshki, in the Kherson Region.
A significant part of the conversation was devoted to the implementation of agreements on the supply of Russian diesel fuel to the US and global markets – a matter agreed by Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during their telephone conversation on October 9.
Both sides emphasised that this deal serves the interests of both the United States and Russia, while also helping to stabilise supply and demand in the global fuel market. Following the US Administration’s decision to lift certain sanctions on Russian diesel, practical work in this area has already begun. Other large-scale joint economic projects, which offer significant prospects for bilateral cooperation, were also discussed in detail; some of them are now nearing the implementation stage.
Given that Donald Trump and several members of his Administration had repeatedly requested, on humanitarian grounds, the return of US citizen [Stephen] Hubbard, who was serving a sentence in Russia for mercenary activities, President Vladimir Putin decided to grant him a pardon. Mr Hubbard has been released and handed over to Steve Witkoff at Pulkovo Airport for his return to the United States. On behalf of the US President, Steve Witkoff expressed warm gratitude to Vladimir Putin for this gesture of goodwill – one that will undoubtedly be appreciated by Donald Trump personally, as well as by the Hubbard family and the American public.
There was also an exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East – primarily, of course, regarding Iran.
Vladimir Putin emphasised that the potential for diplomacy is far from being exhausted and that it is both possible and necessary to reach agreements with Tehran, which is our strategic partner. Russia reaffirmed its readiness to continue helping to find political and diplomatic solutions to the Iranian issue.
The topic that has drawn significant global attention – a potential, historic first meeting between the leaders of Russia, China and the United States during the upcoming APEC summit in Shenzhen, China – was also addressed today. This idea has not been rejected by any of the capitals involved – Moscow, Washington or Beijing. Our Chinese friends, who are hosting the APEC summit, will handle – or, rather, are already handling – the preparations; if circumstances allow, they will certainly incorporate this meeting into the agenda for the Shenzhen summit. We also offered some practical suggestions regarding the potential content of such a trilateral discussion.
Vladimir Putin asked to convey his best wishes to the US President, noting his interest in continuing the two countries’ collaborative efforts, including through their respective government agencies and special services, and highlighted the effective contributions made by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner personally.
Colleagues, that is what I would like to share regarding today’s important engagement between our President and Steve Witkoff.
Thank you.
read more in our Telegram-channel https://t.me/The_International_Affairs
