Tue Apr 15 05:56:17 UTC 2025: ## Putin Open to Permanent Ukraine Peace Deal, Says Trump Envoy
**Saint Petersburg, Russia –** A breakthrough in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict may be on the horizon, according to Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy. Following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on Friday, Witkoff announced that Putin is open to a permanent peace deal, moving beyond previous calls for a simple ceasefire.
Witkoff, speaking in a Fox News interview on Monday, stated that Putin’s advisors, Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, were also present at the pivotal meeting. He described the discussions as “compelling,” indicating a willingness from the Russian side to negotiate a lasting solution to the over three-year-long war. While acknowledging the lengthy process, Witkoff expressed optimism, suggesting the world might be “on the verge of something very, very important.”
Negotiations also reportedly involved exploring business deals between Russia and the United States, with Witkoff suggesting these could foster regional stability and reshape the bilateral relationship.
Despite this positive development, President Trump’s primary goal of securing a Ukraine ceasefire has seen limited progress. Putin previously rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for a complete conflict pause, and the Kremlin has linked a Black Sea truce to the West lifting sanctions. This latest development, however, signifies a potential shift in Russia’s stance towards a more comprehensive and enduring peace agreement.
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