US envoy lands in St Petersburg, hopes a palace stroll will turn Putin’s frown into a peace‑sign

Steve Witkoff touched down in St Petersburg to meet President Vladimir Putin and his aide Dmitriev at the Konstantinovsky Palace, following ‘constructive’ talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Norway.

The envoy noted that the palace setting feels more like a royal reception than a war‑room, a reminder that diplomacy sometimes comes with a change of scenery.

Inside, Putin greeted Witkoff with a measured smile while Dmitriev stood by, underscoring the seriousness of the meeting despite the ornate surroundings.

According to Russian state media, the agenda includes a brief tour of the palace and a discussion of proposals aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.

Observers point out that the back‑to‑back trips – a fjord cruise in Norway followed by a palace visit in Russia – highlight the diplomatic marathon the United States is running to keep channels open.