Trump believes Russia wants to end the war, White House says
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
President Donald Trump is convinced that Russia is seeking to end the war in Ukraine. The US President came to this conclusion after his special envoy Steve Witkoff visited Moscow, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
She said Witkoff had a "productive conversation" with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the trip. Based on this conversation, the envoy became convinced that the Kremlin is interested in ending the war, a view Trump now shares.
Leavitt noted she didn’t want to get ahead of ongoing discussions but emphasized that both Witkoff and Trump believe Russia is looking to bring the war to an end.
She added that, in Trump’s view, Russia may be motivated by the prospect of future economic cooperation with the United States, but first, a ceasefire must be achieved.
Witkoff-Putin talks
On April 11, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for nearly five hours.
Witkoff described the talks as "compelling" and said they focused on steps that could bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
The envoy emphasized that the "key" to ending the war lies in what he called the "five territories," though he did not provide any specifics.
According to Reuters, Witkoff later told President Donald Trump that the quickest way to peace would be to grant Russia ownership over four eastern Ukrainian regions.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported today that several of Trump’s advisers have urged him to be more cautious about accepting Moscow’s claims regarding a potential ceasefire.
However, Trump continues to back envoy Steve Witkoff, who believes Putin is seeking peace after meeting with him twice in Moscow.
