The White House on Tuesday expressed cautious optimism over recent diplomatic talks between the United States and Russia, suggesting that Russia may be open to ending the ongoing war in Ukraine—provided a ceasefire can be achieved first.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, during a briefing, revealed that a “productive conversation” had taken place between the two nations, led by U.S. Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff. She emphasized that while discussions are still ongoing, there is a belief at the highest levels of the U.S. government that Russia is now motivated to seek an end to the conflict.
“There is incentive for Russia to end this war, and perhaps that could be economic partnerships with the United States,” Leavitt said, adding, “But we need to see a ceasefire first, and the President and Presidential Envoy Witkoff made that very clear to the Russians.”
The comments followed Witkoff’s recent high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, which reportedly lasted over four hours and focused on resolving the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin confirmed the meeting centered on the “Ukrainian settlement,” though further details remain undisclosed.
Witkoff has emerged as a key figure in renewed diplomatic outreach, with reports suggesting that Moscow is eyeing potential economic cooperation, including joint ventures in the Arctic and Russian rare earth minerals, should relations stabilize.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation with sharp criticism of the Biden administration. In a post on Truth Social, Trump blamed the war on what he called a “rigged” 2020 election and claimed the conflict would not have started under his leadership.
“The war between Russia and Ukraine is Biden’s war, not mine,” Trump stated. “President Putin and everyone else respected your President! I had nothing to do with this war, but I am working diligently to get the death and destruction to stop.”
Trump also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Biden for their roles in the escalation of the war. “There were so many ways of preventing it from ever starting. But that is the past. Now we have to get it to stop—and fast,” he wrote.
In a rare move, Trump also condemned Russia’s recent missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which killed at least 34 and injured more than 100 people. “I think it was terrible… I was told they made a mistake. But I think it’s a horrible thing,” he said.
As ceasefire talks continue behind the scenes, the Biden administration remains committed to ending the conflict diplomatically. The White House maintains that any potential thaw in U.S.-Russia relations hinges on an immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.