On April 13 local time, the press secretary of the Russian president said in an interview that the meeting between Russian President Putin and US Middle East envoy Witkov was the first step towards a successful meeting between the two presidents of Russia and the United States.
Putin Consulted with US Envoy on Ukraine Issue. Russian President Putin met with visiting US Middle East envoy Witkov in St. Petersburg on the 11th of this month. The two sides held consultations on issues related to the situation in Ukraine.
According to a message released by the Kremlin, the talks were held behind closed doors and covered many aspects of resolving the Ukrainian issue. Another report said that Witkov left St. Petersburg by plane that night.
The press secretary of the Russian president said earlier that day that this was Witkov's third visit to Russia, and this trip was a continuation of diplomatic contacts between the two sides. The two sides would exchange positions, but no breakthrough results should be expected from the talks.
The White House press secretary said on the same day that Witkov's direct contact with Putin was another step towards resolving the Ukrainian issue by the United States and Russia.
