Witkoff Pushes Putin to Restart Peace Talks
The Russian leader said he is ready to resume negotiations but refused to compromise on key points.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is pushing Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume peace talks with Ukraine, following high-stakes meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Norway. Witkoff's visit to Russia comes less than 24 hours after his talks with Zelensky, as the U.S. administration struggles with the ongoing war in Ukraine and its impact on domestic politics.
Despite growing frustration among some in the Republican Party, especially regarding the use of military-grade Starlink satellite services by Ukraine, the White House has been supportive of Putin's involvement in the peace talks. Witkoff appeared eager to curry favor with Putin, complimenting him on his humanitarian efforts and praising his leadership.
Russia confirmed that Putin has agreed to resume U.S.-mediated peace talks with Ukraine next month, likely focusing on technical aspects such as ensuring Ukraine's security post-conflict. However, Moscow's demands remain high, including full control of the occupied Donetsk region, a halt to Ukraine's NATO membership, and a peace deal secured only after a cease-fire.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed doubt that Ukrainian President Zelensky wants to end the conflict, suggesting that failure to reach a deal would likely worsen the situation for Ukraine. Ukraine has retaliated by striking Russian energy infrastructure, doubling down on its pledge to target such sites if Russia continues its aggression.
The British government has approved an offshore natural gas project in the North Sea, a move praised by President Andy Burnham as a pragmatic way to improve energy security amid rising global fuel prices. However, environmental activists have criticized the project, highlighting the continued reliance on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, North Korea has announced plans to activate propaganda speakers along its entire border with South Korea by the end of October, in addition to deploying new troops to bolster psychological warfare efforts against Seoul.
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