Trump envoy reveals specifics from meeting with Putin
(MENAFN) US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has shared insights from his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, revealing Moscow’s concerns about Ukraine potentially violating a ceasefire agreement.
In an interview with Tucker Carlson on Friday, Witkoff discussed his March 13 talks in Moscow, part of Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts to mediate an end to the Ukraine conflict.
“There are conditions that Russia needs for a ceasefire, because an ultimate ceasefire is complicated,” Witkoff explained.
One key issue, according to the envoy, is that Ukrainian forces still occupy parts of Russia’s Kursk Region. In recent weeks, Russian troops have regained territory, including the border town of Sudzha, and have reportedly encircled Ukrainian soldiers on Russian soil.
Putin specifically raised concerns about how to handle trapped Ukrainian forces who refuse to surrender:
“Putin asked me, ‘What should I do when we have [Ukrainian troops] surrounded and they won’t give up? Do I kill them? How do I get them to surrender?’”
The Russian leader also highlighted the complexity of negotiating a truce along a 2,000-km (1,240-mile) front line, with dozens of separate battlefield situations requiring individual resolutions.
According to the Kremlin, Putin told Trump in a recent phone call that Ukraine has repeatedly sabotaged previous agreements. He also stressed that a ceasefire would require Ukraine to halt mobilization and for the West to stop supplying weapons.
Witkoff confirmed that Trump remains committed to brokering a 30-day ceasefire, with the goal of transitioning into a permanent peace deal.
“We’re not far away from that,” he stated, noting that Russia has shown willingness to discuss the necessary conditions.
Additionally, he said Trump’s recent call with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky indicated some flexibility from Kiev, raising hopes for a diplomatic resolution.
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