Major Progress in US-Russia Talks on Ukraine Conflict, Says Trump’s Special Envoy
The United States has made “tremendous progress” in negotiations with Russia to settle the Ukraine conflict, according to Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East. In a revealing interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, Witkoff hinted that Ukraine has agreed to remain outside NATO, a key demand from Moscow, while discussions continue on the fate of former Ukrainian territories that voted to join Russia.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the interview:
Breakthrough on a Ceasefire?
Witkoff emphasized that the Trump administration has achieved more in the past eight weeks regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict than many had anticipated. He pointed to recent discussions in Moscow, where efforts to secure an “ultimate ceasefire” were the central focus.
One critical battlefield issue is the fate of Ukrainian troops trapped in the border region of Kursk, which has been retaken by Russia. “The president doesn’t want to see everybody getting killed,” Witkoff stated, highlighting the urgency of resolving the crisis. He also mentioned that US and Russian representatives are set to meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to continue ceasefire discussions.
The ‘Elephant in the Room’ – Territorial Disputes
One of the thorniest issues in the Ukraine conflict is the status of Crimea and four other regions that voted to join Russia in 2014 and 2022. Witkoff acknowledged that these regions are predominantly Russian-speaking and have shown overwhelming support for being part of Russia.
He described this territorial dispute as “the elephant in the room” that few want to address. The challenge extends beyond diplomatic negotiations—it also involves Ukraine’s constitutional limitations on ceding land, international recognition of the new borders, and President Vladimir Zelensky’s uncertain political future. Despite these hurdles, Witkoff claimed, “we’re having a very, very positive conversation” about potential resolutions.
Ukraine’s NATO Membership Off the Table
A significant revelation from the interview was Witkoff’s assertion that Ukraine’s NATO membership is effectively off the table if a peace deal is to be reached. He noted that this stance is shared by both Zelensky and his chief of staff, Andrey Yermak.
“It’s largely accepted,” Witkoff said, reinforcing Moscow’s long-standing demand that Ukraine remains neutral.
Will Ukraine Hold Elections?
Addressing Ukraine’s political future, Witkoff confirmed that elections will be held, though he provided no specific details or timeline. “Yes. There will be. They’ve agreed to it,” he stated, suggesting that Zelensky is in a difficult position, facing strong opposition and mounting pressure.
Zelensky’s term officially ended last May, but he has postponed elections, citing martial law. Russia now considers him “illegitimate” and insists that only the Ukrainian parliament has legal authority until new elections take place.
Russia’s Intentions Toward Europe
Witkoff dismissed fears that Russia plans to invade other European nations, calling such concerns “preposterous.” He stressed that NATO’s existence provides security that Europe lacked during World War II and reaffirmed that Russia has no intention of marching across the continent.
Putin’s Personal Gesture to Trump
One of the most unexpected moments in the interview came when Witkoff revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin prayed for Trump after the former US president survived an assassination attempt in July.
“Putin told me he went to his local church and met with his priest to pray for President Trump—not because he could become the president again, but because he considered him a friend,” Witkoff shared.
Adding a personal touch to the diplomatic discussions, Putin also commissioned a portrait of Trump by a leading Russian artist and gifted it to Witkoff to deliver to him.
Looking Ahead
With ceasefire talks progressing and Ukraine’s NATO ambitions seemingly shelved, the next few months could be pivotal in reshaping the future of the region. As the US and Russia continue negotiations, all eyes will be on how the battlefield dynamics and political landscape evolve in Ukraine.
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