"We are approaching the end of the war," surprised Putin's man. Europe has gained a new role.

The ninth meeting between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not yield significant breakthroughs regarding the Ukraine war. However, there were cautiously optimistic remarks about potential progress. Putin's advisor, Yuri Ushakov, mentioned a willingness to resume trilateral talks involving Ukraine and the U.S., with two European countries also participating. Witkoff expressed that while much work remains, President Trump is committed to achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace. Despite some optimism, Witkoff's comments labeling Putin as a humanitarian drew criticism from Republican senators, highlighting the complexities of the diplomatic landscape.