Ukraine, Kremlin: 'Towards the end of the conflict'. Trump: "Never this close". Then defends Witkoff for calling Putin compassionate The live

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff concluded a three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, announcing that technical-level tripartite talks involving the United States, Russia, and Ukraine will resume in mid-November. During the session at the Constantine Palace, Putin announced the immediate release of American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who had been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for alleged mercenary activities against Russia. Witkoff described the discussions as constructive, noting that while significant work remains, the parties are moving toward a resolution of the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in an interview with Fox News that Kyiv is prepared to freeze the conflict along the current front lines to initiate diplomatic negotiations aimed at securing security guarantees from the United States and European nations. The diplomatic push follows a day of consultations in Oslo, Norway, where Witkoff met with Zelensky. A US government official characterized the Oslo talks as very productive and constructive, stating that Ukraine presented new ideas and proposals that were discussed in detail. The White House confirmed that both Kyiv and Moscow have accepted the proposal for further meetings at a technical level in this tripartite format. Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov indicated that the main topic for these upcoming discussions would be the creation of a security system for both Russia and Ukraine. He noted that while he could not specify exactly how close the sides are to ending the war, the process is moving in that direction. Ushakov added that Witkoff briefed Putin on the results of his Oslo talks, which included representatives from European countries, including Italy. However, Ushakov remarked that there were not many useful elements in those Oslo discussions regarding the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis. At the start of the St. Petersburg meeting, Putin revealed that Hubbard was already at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg. Hubbard, a retired teacher over the age of seventy, was convicted in October 2024 in a closed trial in Moscow of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. His detention had initially been kept secret following Russia’s large-scale invasion in February 2022, and he was brought before a court after more than two years in custody. Witkoff thanked Putin for the release, calling him compassionate. This remark sparked immediate controversy within the United States. Senator John Cornyn, a conservative Republican, called Putin a ruthless assassin. Representative Don Bacon labeled Witkoff’s comments another embarrassment. Senator Thom Tillis suggested Witkoff should look up the definition of compassionate and ask the families of children abducted and killed by Putin if they share that view. Despite the criticism, Witkoff received strong defense from the administration. Vice President JD Vance stated that he agreed with Witkoff using kind words toward someone who had just freed an American hostage. Vance emphasized that Witkoff is a diplomat whose job is to go to locations and complete tasks, arguing that the result should be celebrated rather than criticized. President Donald Trump defended the envoy, suggesting the term was used specifically to allow a man who thought he would spend life in prison to leave. Trump stated that no exchange was required for the release and that the United States did not have to provide anything in return. Earlier, Trump had acknowledged lifting sanctions against Moscow to facilitate negotiations regarding Hubbard and Ukraine, arguing that maintaining sanctions would have prevented any deal. He noted that the US is negotiating with Russia for the first time in a long period and that one does not use sanctions when close to an agreement. Tensions between Washington and Kyiv remain high. Relations deteriorated after Trump reached an agreement with Putin on the purchase of Russian diesel and ordered the suspension of secondary sanctions against Moscow. Trump accused Zelensky of lacking the will to end the war, warning that if the Ukrainian leader does not seek peace, things will go very badly for him. The energy truce announced by the White House has failed, with Kyiv continuing to strike Russian refineries and Moscow targeting Ukrainian infrastructure. On Tuesday, Trump demanded that Zelensky make a deal with Putin, stating it was in Zelensky’s own interest. On the humanitarian front, Pope Leo XIV telephoned Zelensky on Monday after speaking with Putin on Friday, requesting a truce in Oleksandrivka, a town occupied in the Kherson region where approximately 2,000 civilians are trapped without food or electricity. Kyiv and Moscow are reportedly negotiating the evacuation of these civilians. Meanwhile, combat continues on the front without major advances by either side. Late on Wednesday, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on the capital, with explosions heard throughout the city. Putin also proposed a summit with Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit in China in November. He is scheduled to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang later in the day. The last tripartite talks took place in Geneva in February, preceded by two sessions in Abu Dhabi. The previous round of talks in Abu Dhabi occurred in January. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen clarified that EU sanctions against Russia will remain in effect. The diplomatic efforts aim to address the four-and-a-half-year-old conflict, though Moscow maintains its opposition to simple suspensions of combat or truces in bombing energy sites, insisting on peace rather than a ceasefire.