Trump Denies Reports That Putin Kept U.S. Envoy Waiting For Hours

President Donald Trump denied media reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin kept United States Special Envoy Steve Witkoff waiting the entire day for a meeting between the two this week as part of some sort of power play.

Sky News reported on Friday that Witkoff was in Moscow for a little over 12 hours and that he was “left waiting” for at least eight hours before his meeting with Putin.

Putin apparently had been spending time with Belarusian leader Aleksander Lukashenko for a meeting that was scheduled at the last minute, leading analysts that say that Putin was sending a message to the United States: that he was in charge and he will do what he wants on his timetable.

“The Fake News, as usual, is at it again!” Trump said about the story. “Why can’t they be honest, just for once? Last night I read that President Vladimir Putin of Russia kept my Highly Respected Ambassador and Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, waiting for over nine hours when, in fact, there was no wait whatsoever.”

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

The president said that there was no wait at all and that the story was made up “to try and DEMEAN, because they are sick degenerates, that have to start reporting the News correctly.”

“This is why they have lost their ratings, their audience, and respect,” he said. “Thank you for your attention to this matter and, GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

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— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 15, 2025