In a move that’s stirred fresh speculation about behind-the-scenes diplomacy, Steve Witkoff—U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy—has quietly jetted off to Russia, reportedly aiming to sit down with President Vladimir Putin for what could be their third face-to-face since Trump kickstarted efforts to thaw relations with the Kremlin back in January.
According to Axios, Witkoff’s arrival in Russia marks another chapter in Trump’s push to normalize ties with Moscow, a campaign that’s been quietly gaining momentum. Last week, Witkoff was also seen rubbing elbows with Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s top aide on international economic strategy, during high-level talks in Washington.
The Kremlin hasn’t confirmed a meeting yet, but Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov did acknowledge Witkoff’s presence in the country and hinted that more information could be on the way.
Flight trackers caught wind of a jet linked to Witkoff landing in St. Petersburg after departing from Florida overnight, further fueling the buzz around the envoy’s latest trip.
Witkoff isn’t new to high-stakes diplomacy with Moscow. Back in February, he reportedly brokered a headline-making prisoner swap involving Russian crypto expert Aleksandr Vinnik and Marc Fogel, a former U.S. embassy staffer and teacher at an international school in Moscow. That exchange, which saw both men returned to their home countries, was said to involve a personal sit-down with Putin.
Now, with Witkoff back on Russian soil, questions are swirling: Is another major breakthrough in the works, or is Washington simply trying to keep the lines open as global tensions remain high?
One thing’s for sure—this visit isn’t just about shaking hands.
