A top envoy for President Trump met Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Trump voiced frustration with Moscow over efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Steve Witkoff, whose title is special envoy for Middle East affairs but who has been taking a leading role in Ukraine-Russia talks, met face-to-face with Putin for what the White House called “direct communication with the Kremlin.”
“I think the president has been quite clear that he’s been continuously frustrated with both sides of this conflict, and he wants to see the fighting end,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters during a press briefing.
Trump earlier Friday posted on Truth Social that Russia “has to get moving.”
“Too many people ere DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war – A war that should have never happened, and wouldn’t have happened, if I were President!!!” Trump posted.
Trump has for months been pressing for a ceasefire in Ukraine, where fighting has been underway since Russian forces invaded in February 2022 after amassing troops near the border.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he accepted the terms of a ceasefire laid out by Trump administration officials, putting the ball in Russia’s court.
Critics have argued Russia is dragging its feet and is not interested in a ceasefire as it makes gains on the battlefield.
