Election in Ukraine, Kiev’s NATO Membership: Main Insights from Interview with Trump’s Envoy
The US has made substantial strides in negotiations with Russia over the Ukraine conflict, according to Steve Witkoff, the special envoy to the Middle East under President Donald Trump, during an interview with Tucker Carlson. In the hour-and-a-half...
TroibNews 
The US has made substantial strides in negotiations with Russia over the Ukraine conflict, according to Steve Witkoff, the special envoy to the Middle East under President Donald Trump, during an interview with Tucker Carlson.
In the hour-and-a-half discussion released on Friday, Witkoff suggested that Ukraine has seemingly reached an agreement to refrain from joining NATO, which is one of the main demands from Moscow in the ongoing conflict. The primary concern now revolves around the status of previously Ukrainian territories that voted decisively to affiliate with Russia.
Key insights from the interview include:
### Prospects for a Lasting Ceasefire
Witkoff expressed optimism about progress made in the US’s efforts concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict in recent weeks, particularly highlighting his latest trip to Moscow. He indicated that discussions were centered on achieving “an ultimate ceasefire,” with specific attention given to Ukrainian troops encircled in the Kursk border region. “The Russians have taken it [Kursk Region] back. They’ve got people trapped there and the president doesn’t want to see everybody getting killed. That’s a significant battlefield condition that has to be dealt with," he stated.
He noted, “we’re not far away” from establishing a 30-day ceasefire but emphasized that the parties need to settle numerous battlefield situations across the front. Additionally, Witkoff mentioned that teams from Russia and the US will convene in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, starting Monday to tackle various issues.
### The ‘Elephant in the Room’
Witkoff identified Crimea and the four other regions that voted to join Russia as the core issue in the conflict. “They’re Russian speaking. There have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule,” he explained.
He described the territorial dispute between Moscow and Kiev as the “elephant in the room” that is avoided in discussions. The situation is further complicated by Ukraine's constitutional challenges surrounding territorial concessions, the international recognition of the new territorial circumstances, and the political future of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite these challenges, Witkoff claimed that “we’re having a very, very positive conversation” regarding the matter.
### Ukraine NATO Membership Off the Table
Witkoff reiterated that he believes “it’s largely accepted” that “if there’s going to be a peace deal, Ukraine cannot be a member of NATO,” adding that this view is also held by Zelensky and his key advisor, Andrey Yermak.
### Election in Ukraine
When asked about the possibility of a new election in Ukraine, Witkoff confirmed it would happen but did not provide details or a timeline. “Yes. There will be. They’ve agreed to it. There will be elections in Ukraine,” he asserted, noting that Zelensky is in a “very difficult position” due to facing a significant opponent.
Zelensky's presidential term officially expired last May, yet he has postponed elections due to martial law, which Russia describes as making him “illegitimate.” Moscow contends that the legitimate authority now resides with the Ukrainian parliament until a new vote occurs.
### Russia ‘100%’ Doesn’t Want to Attack Europe
Witkoff dismissed the idea that Russia aims to invade other European nations, calling such notions “preposterous.” He explained that NATO largely assures Europe’s security—a measure that did not exist during World War II.
### Putin Prayed for Trump
Witkoff shared a personal anecdote, relaying that Putin told him he prayed for Trump after the latter survived an assassination attempt in July. “He went to his local church and met with his priest and prayed for the president – not because he could become the president of the United States, but because he had a friendship with him and he was praying for his friend,” Witkoff recounted.
He also conveyed how the entailed discussions during his visit to Moscow became more personal, noting, “President Putin had commissioned a beautiful portrait of President Trump from the leading Russian artist and actually gave it to me and asked me to take it home to President Trump, which I brought home and delivered to him.”
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this article for TROIB News
In the hour-and-a-half discussion released on Friday, Witkoff suggested that Ukraine has seemingly reached an agreement to refrain from joining NATO, which is one of the main demands from Moscow in the ongoing conflict. The primary concern now revolves around the status of previously Ukrainian territories that voted decisively to affiliate with Russia.
Key insights from the interview include:
### Prospects for a Lasting Ceasefire
Witkoff expressed optimism about progress made in the US’s efforts concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict in recent weeks, particularly highlighting his latest trip to Moscow. He indicated that discussions were centered on achieving “an ultimate ceasefire,” with specific attention given to Ukrainian troops encircled in the Kursk border region. “The Russians have taken it [Kursk Region] back. They’ve got people trapped there and the president doesn’t want to see everybody getting killed. That’s a significant battlefield condition that has to be dealt with," he stated.
He noted, “we’re not far away” from establishing a 30-day ceasefire but emphasized that the parties need to settle numerous battlefield situations across the front. Additionally, Witkoff mentioned that teams from Russia and the US will convene in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, starting Monday to tackle various issues.
### The ‘Elephant in the Room’
Witkoff identified Crimea and the four other regions that voted to join Russia as the core issue in the conflict. “They’re Russian speaking. There have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule,” he explained.
He described the territorial dispute between Moscow and Kiev as the “elephant in the room” that is avoided in discussions. The situation is further complicated by Ukraine's constitutional challenges surrounding territorial concessions, the international recognition of the new territorial circumstances, and the political future of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite these challenges, Witkoff claimed that “we’re having a very, very positive conversation” regarding the matter.
### Ukraine NATO Membership Off the Table
Witkoff reiterated that he believes “it’s largely accepted” that “if there’s going to be a peace deal, Ukraine cannot be a member of NATO,” adding that this view is also held by Zelensky and his key advisor, Andrey Yermak.
### Election in Ukraine
When asked about the possibility of a new election in Ukraine, Witkoff confirmed it would happen but did not provide details or a timeline. “Yes. There will be. They’ve agreed to it. There will be elections in Ukraine,” he asserted, noting that Zelensky is in a “very difficult position” due to facing a significant opponent.
Zelensky's presidential term officially expired last May, yet he has postponed elections due to martial law, which Russia describes as making him “illegitimate.” Moscow contends that the legitimate authority now resides with the Ukrainian parliament until a new vote occurs.
### Russia ‘100%’ Doesn’t Want to Attack Europe
Witkoff dismissed the idea that Russia aims to invade other European nations, calling such notions “preposterous.” He explained that NATO largely assures Europe’s security—a measure that did not exist during World War II.
### Putin Prayed for Trump
Witkoff shared a personal anecdote, relaying that Putin told him he prayed for Trump after the latter survived an assassination attempt in July. “He went to his local church and met with his priest and prayed for the president – not because he could become the president of the United States, but because he had a friendship with him and he was praying for his friend,” Witkoff recounted.
He also conveyed how the entailed discussions during his visit to Moscow became more personal, noting, “President Putin had commissioned a beautiful portrait of President Trump from the leading Russian artist and actually gave it to me and asked me to take it home to President Trump, which I brought home and delivered to him.”
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this article for TROIB News
