Inside the Room: Witkoff and Putin Hold High-Stakes Talks for Over 5 Hours as Trump Watches Closely
Among other things, Russia is demanding a resolution to the properties seized by the the U.S. by the Obama administration after the now debunked "Russiagate" and the official annexation of the oblasts
St. Petersburg – On April 11, 2025, Steve Witkoff, a key envoy for former U.S. President Donald Trump, held a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, lasting over four hours. The discussions centered on pressing geopolitical concerns, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and broader U.S.-Russia relations, with the goal of navigating a potential resolution.
This meeting, part of ongoing diplomatic efforts, comes as Trump has repeatedly urged for a faster resolution to the conflict, expressing frustration over its prolonged nature. He emphasized that under his leadership, the war would have been avoided and that it was time for both Russia and the U.S. to work toward ending the crisis.
In addition to the discussions on Ukraine, sources confirm that the Russians are also actively seeking the return of six properties on American soil that were seized by the Obama administration in after the now debunked “Russia-Gate” was born. These properties, which were used by Russian diplomats, were part of a broader set of sanctions imposed on Russia in response to alleged interference in U.S. politics. The return of these properties is reportedly a point of negotiation in the current dialogue between the U.S. and Russia.
According to Alexander Mercouris from The Duran and other sources, Russian diplomats also met with Trump privately beforehand in which Witkoff reportedly stated that the quickest path to peace would involve the U.S. agreeing to Russia's demands, including formal recognition of the annexation of Ukrainian oblasts.This proposal was made as part of broader discussions on peace, but it was met with strong resistance by figures such as General Keith Kellogg, who was reportedly present. Kellogg is said to have responded firmly, stating, "There’s no way the Ukrainians will agree to that."
Witkoff’s meeting with Putin follows this pattern of back-and-forth, highlighting the complexity of U.S.-Russia relations. The Kremlin has since emphasized that rebuilding trust and progressing toward a lasting peace will take time and patience after what they already consider “betrayals”. Sources close to the matter confirm that the talks were centered around finding solutions to the ongoing crisis, restoring some semblance of diplomatic balance, and addressing Russia’s broader grievances, including the return of the seized properties.
Despite the private nature of the discussions, there is no doubt that these engagements are central to the shaping of international relations and the future of U.S.-Russia diplomacy.
By Adal Rodríguez