**US Envoy Holds Extended Talks with Putin as Trump Presses for Rapid Ceasefire in Ukraine**

**While European nations pledge substantial military aid to Ukraine, Witkoff's discussions signal a possible shift in diplomatic relations amidst a protracted conflict.**

US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin for over four hours in a significant meeting held at the Presidential Library in St. Petersburg on Friday. As diplomatic negotiations continue, former US President Donald Trump urged Russia via social media to "get moving" on establishing a ceasefire in Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The Kremlin characterized the meeting as "productive," focusing on crucial aspects of advancing a potential resolution to the conflict. This was Witkoff's third meeting with Putin this year, following his previous engagements in an effort to normalize relations. Trump expressed frustration over the slow pace of the negotiations, emphasizing that "too many people are DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war."

Complications arose when Trump's envoy, Keith Kellogg, faced scrutiny for allegedly suggesting the partitioning of Ukraine. Kellogg later clarified that no such partition was proposed, but rather a framework for a post-ceasefire "resiliency force" to support Ukraine’s sovereignty, while the White House and Kyiv have yet to respond to these statements.

Amidst ongoing discussions, European nations pledged €21 billion ($24 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine, with defense ministers indicating no imminent end to the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned that no substantial breakthroughs should be anticipated from the Witkoff-Putin dialogue.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of prolonging the war during a visit to Kryvyi Rih, the site of a recent attack that claimed the lives of numerous civilians. Zelensky went on to assert that some foreign fighters, including Chinese nationals, were involved alongside Russian troops, further complicating the narrative of the conflict.

Zelensky reiterated the need for advanced air defense systems to protect Ukrainian cities, stating that Ukraine is prepared to procure such systems amid ongoing hostilities. Trump's assertion that he could resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict swiftly underscores the prevailing political tensions surrounding the war.

In a recent prisoner swap, the US and Russia demonstrated a rare instance of cooperation, exchanging a dual German-Russian citizen for a Russian-American sentenced in Russia for minor offenses related to support for Ukraine. As the dynamics of the conflict continue to evolve, both Witkoff's conversations with Putin and Trump's outspoken advocacy for a ceasefire reflect the broader complexities surrounding peace efforts in the region.