The White House on Tuesday revealed that the United States held productive talks with Russia, hinting that economic partnerships could follow if a ceasefire in Ukraine is achieved.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the development during a briefing, saying that Presidential envoy Steve Witkoff’s recent meeting with Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg showed positive signs. “There is incentive for Russia to end this war, and perhaps that could be economic partnerships with the United States,” she said. “But we need to see a ceasefire first.”
Leavitt emphasized that both Witkoff and President Trump made the US position clear to Russian officials—peace first, partnership later.
Trump Blames Biden for Ukraine War
Earlier this week, Donald Trump stirred controversy by blaming Joe Biden for the war in Ukraine. Posting on Truth Social, Trump declared, “The war between Russia and Ukraine is Biden’s war, not mine… If the 2020 election was not rigged, that horrible war would never have happened.”
He further criticized both President Zelenskyy and Biden, calling their handling of the conflict “horrible.” Still, Trump claimed he is now “working diligently to get the death and destruction to stop.”
Russia’s Attack on Sumy Sparks Rare Criticism
In a rare moment of criticism toward Moscow, Trump condemned Russia’s deadly missile strike on Sumy that killed 34 and injured over 100. He called it “a mistake” and “a horrible thing.”
Meanwhile, US envoy Steve Witkoff’s extended talks with Putin—lasting over four hours—focused on the Ukraine conflict, with potential discussions on future investments in Arctic regions and rare earth minerals, according to Al Jazeera.
The Kremlin has not released detailed outcomes of the meeting but confirmed it involved the “Ukrainian settlement.” There is also talk of a possible Trump-Putin face-to-face meeting, signaling a potential thaw in US-Russia ties—if peace is achieved first.
As negotiations continue, the White House maintains its firm stance: no economic deals unless Russia agrees to a ceasefire.
