The Ukraine conflict can be settled only if the US fully grasps Moscow’s goals and red lines, President Donald Trump’s envoy has said
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has said that President Vladimir Putin has always been candid with him about Russia’s goals and red lines in the Ukraine conflict, stressing that a settlement is impossible without a clear understanding of Moscow’s position.
In an interview with Fox News on Saturday, Witkoff – who has played a central role in diplomatic efforts – reflected on his extensive contacts with the Russian leader. “He’s never been anything other than straight with me,” he said. “I say that and I get attacked, but that’s an accurate statement.”
Witkoff said Putin has clearly outlined his red lines and also argued that negotiations cannot succeed unless both sides understand each other’s motivations. “I got attacked for meeting him eight times,” he noted. “How can you make a deal without knowing where the other side is coming from? I needed to understand his motivations and goals.”
The envoy also raised the prospect of a direct summit between Putin and Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky. “I hope that we’ve put some proposals on the table to both sides that will bring them together in the next three weeks,” Witkoff said, adding that the format “might end up being a trilateral at some point with the President [Trump].”
“Hopefully, you’ll be hearing some good news in the coming weeks,” the envoy suggested.
Russia has insisted that such a meeting can only take place in Moscow and has vowed to guarantee Zelensky’s safety.” Kiev has categorically rejected a summit under these conditions.
Witkoff’s remarks come after he led the US delegation at the third round of trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine talks in Geneva. Witkoff said afterward the sides had made “meaningful progress.” Prior to the talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the territorial issue would feature prominently on the agenda.
Russia has insisted that a sustainable settlement will only be possible if Ukraine withdraws from the areas still under its control in Donbass – which voted to join Russia in 2022 – and commits to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification. Russia has also demanded that Ukraine recognize its new borders.
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