In a significant development that could shift the trajectory of the protracted war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly open to negotiating a “permanent peace” deal, according to U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Speaking during a televised Fox News interview on Monday, Witkoff revealed that President Putin expressed his willingness to work toward a lasting peace during a closed-door meeting held on Friday in Saint Petersburg. The meeting, the third between both parties since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, was also attended by two of Putin’s key advisers—Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev—who played instrumental roles in the discussion.
“Putin’s request is to get to have a permanent peace here. So beyond the ceasefire, we got an answer to that,” Witkoff stated, underscoring what he described as “compelling dialogue” between both nations. “It took a while for us to get to this place, but I think we might be on the verge of something very, very important for the world at large.”
The U.S. envoy noted that the talks extended beyond conflict resolution and included the potential for revitalized U.S.-Russia commercial relations. According to Witkoff, the administration is exploring “very compelling commercial opportunities” that could stabilize regional politics and rebuild bilateral economic ties. While details remain scarce, analysts believe that the inclusion of trade incentives may be pivotal in pushing diplomatic talks forward.
However, despite these renewed diplomatic overtures, there has been little concrete progress on the ground. Putin had previously rejected a joint U.S.-Ukrainian proposal calling for a full, unconditional ceasefire. Furthermore, the Kremlin has conditioned a Black Sea truce on the lifting of certain Western sanctions—an offer Washington and Kyiv have not accepted.
Observers say that while the tone of diplomacy has warmed in recent weeks, the underlying geopolitical stakes remain unchanged. Moscow still demands recognition of its influence over contested regions, while Kyiv insists on the restoration of its territorial sovereignty, including Crimea and eastern Ukraine, currently under Russian control.
Trump’s administration has been under pressure to show results after promising to end the war swiftly upon re-entering office. Since January, Washington has stepped up its diplomatic push, dispatching envoys to both Kyiv and Moscow in hopes of engineering a breakthrough.
Political analysts suggest that Trump’s strategy of intertwining peace negotiations with business deals could be aimed at reshaping the U.S.-Russia relationship post-war. “It’s a transactional approach, typical of Trump’s diplomacy,” said Nicholas Raymond, a political analyst at the Atlantic Council. “If the economic incentives are strong enough, Putin may be willing to make strategic compromises, but Kyiv’s position will be the real challenge.”
The war, now in its fourth year, has resulted in the deaths of over 400,000 people and displaced millions. With no clear military victor in sight, the international community continues to call for a negotiated solution. The United Nations, European Union, and several neutral states have welcomed reports of possible peace, urging all sides to maintain dialogue and prioritize humanitarian relief.
Meanwhile, Trump’s envoy has confirmed plans for follow-up meetings in May, aimed at advancing the current framework and narrowing disagreements. Although it is still too early to predict a full peace accord, the recent shift in Moscow’s rhetoric has revived cautious optimism about a possible end to one of Europe’s deadliest conflicts in decades.