Kremlin refuses to compromise: Witkoff returns empty-handed from St Petersburg

US special envoy Steve Witkoff was unable to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire during their meeting in St Petersburg.

TodayPress TV reports, citing Russian media, that the meeting failed to secure an agreement on a ceasefire.

According to the reports, Putin believes that even if Democrats take control of Congress, the United States will be unable to contain India and China.

Sources close to the Kremlin have noted that if Republicans retain control of the Senate, a serious confrontation could erupt in US domestic politics. Against this backdrop, Putin reportedly no longer believes that Washington has effective sanctions at its disposal.

The Russian leader reportedly believes that Europe is trying to lure Russia into a trap while presenting itself as close to the United States.

Kremlin-linked sources have also identified the potential depletion of Ukraine’s air defence systems during the winter as another problem. According to the reports, Putin intends to make Ukrainian cities uninhabitable during the winter. The Russian president reportedly believes time is on his side and is in no hurry to make concessions. Putin is also counting on the outcome of the French elections.

Aysel Matlab