U.S. sees President Vladimir Putin as a "great competitor" and "adversary" as it works to secure a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff explained Sunday to CNN’s Jake Tapper how President Donald Trump is working to end the Ukraine-Russia war after Tapper questioned Russia’s view of the president.

The meeting is meant to pave the way for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Before Trump returned to the White House, Witkoff was his political adviser, fundraiser and golfing buddy. In testimony at Trump’s 2023 New York civil fraud trial, Witkoff said the pair’s friendship began in 1986 when he bought Trump a sandwich at a deli after Trump forgot his wallet.

WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump says he expects to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi ... special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in charge of the talks.