Zelenskyy added that Ukraine remains ready to spare sensitive parts of Russia's energy sector if Moscow halts strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, though he said Putin had rejected an earlier US energy ceasefire proposal. Ahead of the St. Petersburg visit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow will listen to proposals from Witkoff and White House envoy Jared Kushner and is open to economic deals, but will not make political concessions in return.
Separately, the Trump administration is nearing an agreement with Moscow to free multiple Americans detained in Russia, ABC News reported, citing two US officials and another person familiar with the matter. An earlier White House readout said Witkoff's trip to Russia would include efforts to secure the release of Stephen Hubbard, an American citizen imprisoned since 2022.