Zelensky urges summit with Trump and Putin as US envoy meets Russian leader

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a meeting with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin after talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff, raising hopes of renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war. Witkoff travelled to St Petersburg to meet Putin and discuss proposals, but there was no indication of an imminent breakthrough.

The Oslo meeting, hosted by Norway and Finland, was described by a US official as productive, with Finnish President Alexander Stubb reporting progress but offering no details. Witkoff also announced the release of Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher jailed in Russia for nearly seven years after being convicted of fighting for Ukraine. Moscow said it would hear new US proposals, while Russia’s foreign minister cautioned against expecting a “miracle”.