Donald Trump hails ‘very productive’ US-Russia talks after Witkoff-Putin meeting

US President Donald Trump dismissed claims that his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was kept waiting for nine hours before meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin. Taking to Truth Social, Trump strongly refuted the reports, calling them another attempt by the media to misrepresent events.

"The Fake News, as usual, is at it again! Why can’t they be honest, just for once?" Trump wrote. He insisted that there was no wait whatsoever for Witkoff’s meeting with Putin.

Meeting with Russian representatives

Trump clarified that other meetings with Russian officials took place before Witkoff’s encounter with Putin. However, he emphasised that they were productive and efficient.

"Other meetings with other Representatives of Russia did take place and, obviously, they took some time, but they were very productive. From there, things went quickly and efficiently, and all signs seem to be, hopefully, very good!" he stated.

Accusations against the media

The President accused the media of deliberately spreading false narratives to damage his image.

"In conclusion, there was no nine-hour wait, or any wait at all! The only reason they made up that story is to try and DEMEAN, because they are sick degenerates, that have to start reporting the News correctly," Trump asserted.

He went on to criticise declining media ratings and credibility, arguing that their audience has diminished due to persistent misinformation.

"This is why they have lost their ratings, their audience, and respect," he claimed.

Looking ahead to US-Russia relations

Trump ended his post on an optimistic note, suggesting that recent diplomatic efforts with Russia could yield positive results.

"All signs seem to be, hopefully, very good!" he wrote, without specifying further details.

US Envoy Witkoff to brief Trump on Putin talks

US special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to debrief President Donald Trump and his top national security officials at Mar-a-Lago this weekend following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. A source familiar with the discussions confirmed to CNN that Witkoff’s insights will play a crucial role in shaping Trump’s approach to Ukraine peace negotiations.

Joining the debriefing will be Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, two senior officials at the heart of the Trump administration’s diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine, as per the news report. Both Rubio and Waltz, along with Witkoff, recently met with Russian officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Waltz and Rubio also held talks with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, before Witkoff’s high-level meeting in Moscow.