Trump-Putin talks may take place next week, Witkoff says
Photo: US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (Getty Images)
A conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin is expected to take place next week, says US special envoy Steve Witkoff in an interview with CNN.
When asked by a journalist about the timing of the deal, whether it is a matter of weeks or possibly months, Witkoff said that President Trump uses the term “weeks,” and he does not intend to argue with him.
He also expressed hope that real progress would be made on this matter shortly and said that everyone should focus on the progress that has been made since the inauguration of the president. No one expected such rapid progress, he added.
The special envoy also noted that the situation with the war in Ukraine is extremely complicated, but the United States is still closing the gap between the two sides.
He added two presidents would have a constructive conversation this week.
Witkoff's visit to Moscow
On March 13, Witkoff was sent to Moscow to deliver a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. This is the second visit of Steve Witkoff to Russia.
According to Western media, the US special envoy waited eight hours to meet Putin, while the latter met with the self-proclaimed leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.
His visit was scheduled after the US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia on March 11. During those talks, a 30-day ceasefire on the frontline in Ukraine was agreed upon. The United States also resumed military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
