Witkoff: No sign of Putin's ambition to take Europe, optimistic about Ukraine talks

"I think that you're going to see some real progress in Saudi Arabia on Monday, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. I feel that he (Russian president -ed.) wants peace," Witkoff said on Fox News.

According to the US Special Envoy, a ceasefire in the Black Sea could develop into a full-scale cessation of hostilities.

Witkoff also responded to concerns from EU countries that such an agreement might give Moscow a free hand for further invasions.

"I just don’t see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War II. In World War II, there was no NATO," Witkoff noted.

At the same time, the US Special Envoy emphasized that the key issue on the agenda right now is to stop the killings, "to stop the carnage."

"Let's end this thing. You can't end things without communicating with both sides, understanding what each of them needs, and then trying to bring them together, and that's what we're doing," added the US Special Envoy.

Meeting in Saudi Arabia

It was recently reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian officials will meet again with American representatives in Saudi Arabia on March 24. The meeting will be at the technical team level. According to him, the US has a meeting with Russia that is planned in Saudi Arabia on that day.

Meanwhile, US Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg stated that the US will send teams to Saudi Arabia for indirect negotiations with Ukraine and Russia.

However, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi, Ukraine views the upcoming meeting in Saudi Arabia as a bilateral one with US representatives. There are no plans for Ukrainian teams to engage with the Russians.

For more details on who will participate in the negotiations on March 24 from the US, Ukraine, and Russia, as well as how the talks will proceed, read RBC-Ukraine's report.