• US envoy Steve Witkoff reports Putin open to a "permanent peace" deal with Ukraine.
• Witkoff describes discussions with Putin as "compelling" and sees peace deal "emerging".
• Former President Trump emphasizes the urgency of ceasing hostilities in Ukraine.
• Negotiations also include potential commercial partnerships between Russia and the US.
• Despite optimism, significant hurdles remain in achieving a ceasefire agreement.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to a “permanent peace” deal with Ukraine after their recent discussions, marking a significant development in over three years of conflict. In an interview, Witkoff shared that he sees a peace deal “emerging” following his talks with Putin in Saint Petersburg, where he described the discussions as “compelling” according to South China Morning Post.

The meeting is part of a series of discussions facilitated by Witkoff and has led to optimism about resolving ongoing hostilities. Witkoff stated, “Putin’s request is to get to have a permanent peace here,” indicating a shift towards a more stable resolution beyond just a ceasefire. He emphasized, “I think we might be on the verge of something that would be very, very important for the world at large,” according to India Times.

In the backdrop of these negotiations, Trump has pressured both Moscow and Kyiv to engage in meaningful ceasefire talks, highlighting the continuation of violence. However, despite the diplomatic efforts, there has been little to no significant progress on a ceasefire, with Putin reportedly rejecting key proposals and insisting on conditions for any potential truce in the ongoing conflict, as noted by Al Jazeera.

The talks also encompass potential commercial opportunities aimed at reshaping U.S.-Russia relations, which Witkoff believes could enhance regional stability. This dual focus on peace and economic partnerships was articulated in the context of ongoing negotiations, where Witkoff stressed, “I believe there’s a possibility to reshape the Russian-United States relationship” according to The Hill.