Witkov: I conveyed to Putin ideas about a peace agreement with Ukraine

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The US envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Wednesday that he had conveyed to Putin ideas about a peace agreement with Ukraine.

Witkov added: "We hope that Putin will consider resuming tripartite negotiations between America, Ukraine and Russia," noting that there is a solid basis for reaching a solution to the conflict in Ukraine.

Today, Wednesday, in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff regarding the settlement in Ukraine.

The convoy of the Special Representative of the Russian President, Kirill Dmitriev, and the Special Envoy of the US President, Steve Witkov, arrived at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St. Petersburg earlier today, Wednesday, according to what the Russian “Sputnik” news agency reported.

In a related context, Witkov announced on Wednesday that Russia had released a retired American teacher who was imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.

This step comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has taken measures that would achieve gains for Moscow.

Stephen Hubbard, from Michigan, was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison following a closed trial that took place in 2024.

The prosecution stated that Hubbard signed a contract with the Ukrainian army after Russia sent its forces to Ukraine in February 2022, and that he fought alongside Ukrainian forces until he was captured two months later.

The US government, under former President Joe Biden, classified Hubbard's detention as "unlawful detention."

Putin informed the envoy, Witkov, on Wednesday, that Hubbard is currently at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg following his release.

Witkov has tried, without success so far, to push Russia and Ukraine towards reaching a settlement to end the war, which will complete its fifth year next February.

Earlier this week, Trump hinted at the possibility of Hubbard's release, as he told reporters at the White House, "I spoke with President Putin about Mr. Hubbard, and I had long conversations with him and asked him to release him. Let's see what happens."