US Envoy Steven Witkoff Secretly Meets Putin in Moscow to Discuss War in Ukraine

US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steven Witkoff held a three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin during his recent visit to Moscow, The Washington Post reported on February 12, citing Fox News host Sean Hannity. The details of the meeting remain undisclosed.

Before arriving in Moscow, Witkoff reportedly met with several of Putin’s close associates, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to The New York Times. The sources also indicated that Trump’s envoy had been discussing the war in Ukraine with officials from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, both of which are seeking to mediate an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The Kremlin refused to comment on the meeting. “I have no information on this topic for you,” said Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The White House has also remained silent on the talks.

Trump secretly instructed Witkoff weeks ago to “expand his portfolio beyond the Middle East” and help facilitate negotiations with Russia aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Trump reportedly trusts Witkoff due to their long-standing friendship, which dates back to the 1980s. The US President believes Witkoff possesses the diplomatic skills needed to advance peace talks.

Witkoff arrived in Moscow on February 11, landing at Vnukovo Airport around 10:20 am local time.

He left Russia accompanied by Mark Fogel, a former employee of the US Embassy in Moscow and teacher at the Anglo-American School, who had been imprisoned in Russia since 2021. Fogel was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport for attempting to bring medical marijuana into the country. He claimed the marijuana was prescribed following spinal surgery and that he was unaware of Russia’s strict drug laws. In 2022, a Russian court sentenced him to 14 years in prison for drug smuggling, a charge to which Fogel pleaded guilty.

Following Fogel’s release, Trump suggested that his return could mark an important step toward ending the war in Ukraine. The US President described Fogel’s release as “very fair,” noting that “Russia didn’t ask for much in return.”

Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that former US Embassy employee Marc Fogel has been released from Russian custody in exchange for a Russian prisoner in the US.