Trump Envoy Witkoff to Meet Putin in Moscow for Second Time Amid Ceasefire Negotiations in Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is set to travel to Moscow this week for his second meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This visit coincides with ongoing U.S.-Ukrainian talks in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the diplomatic efforts to address the Ukraine conflict. Witkoff, a housing tycoon, previously held a three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Putin, discussing the release of imprisoned U.S. teacher Marc Fogel and developing a friendship. Witkoff is also scheduled to participate in ceasefire negotiations in Doha, Qatar, involving Qatari and Egyptian mediators, as well as representatives from Israel and Hamas. The talks aim to extend the fragile ceasefire in Gaza and negotiate the release of hostages. In Qatar, Witkoff will join discussions aimed at extending the Gaza truce for 60 days, in exchange for the release of 10 Israeli hostages. Despite these efforts, there are doubts about Hamas's willingness to accept the proposal. Witkoff was part of the delegation led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that met with top Russian diplomats last month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where both sides agreed to begin negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. Trump mentioned 'big meetings' in Saudi Arabia that would include Russia, although the Kremlin stated no meeting between Russian and U.S. officials was planned.