Trump representative discloses information from discussion with Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed concerns regarding the possibility that Ukrainian troops may not adhere to a potential ceasefire, according to Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy. In an interview with journalist Tucker...
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed concerns regarding the possibility that Ukrainian troops may not adhere to a potential ceasefire, according to Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy.
In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson that aired on Friday evening, Witkoff discussed details from his March 13 meeting with Putin in Moscow. He went to the Russian capital as part of Trump’s shuttle diplomacy effort aimed at mediating an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“There are conditions that the Russians will need for an ultimate ceasefire because an ultimate ceasefire is complicated,” Witkoff told Carlson.
Witkoff pointed out that one of the key issues is the presence of Ukrainian troops in a small area of Russia’s internationally recognized territory in the Kursk Region. Recently, the Russian military reclaimed a substantial amount of territory previously held by Ukraine, including the border town of Sudzha. The Kremlin claims that some Ukrainian soldiers are encircled within Russian territory.
“They’ve got people trapped there, and [Trump] doesn’t want to see everybody getting killed. That’s a significant battlefield condition that has to be dealt with,” Witkoff remarked.
He further noted that Moscow has raised questions regarding the implementation of a potential ceasefire along the state borders and the extensive front line, which stretches over 2,000 km.
“Putin asked me in the meeting, ‘What should I do when in a particular area we have [Ukrainian soldiers] surrounded and they don’t want to give up? Do I kill them? How do I get them to give up?’” Witkoff recounted.
“And that one situation, Steve – this is Putin talking to me – is just one example of 70, 80, 90 different situations out there along the border, each one having different battlefield conditions, each one needing a separate conversation. That’s what has to happen for a ceasefire,” he explained.
According to the Kremlin, Putin informed Trump over the phone on Tuesday that Kiev had “repeatedly sabotaged and violated negotiated agreements.” He further stated that for a ceasefire to take effect, Ukraine must cease mobilization and the West must stop supplying weapons to Kiev.
During his conversation with Carlson, Witkoff emphasized that Trump is keen on negotiating a 30-day ceasefire, which could lead to a permanent truce. “We’re not far away from that,” he stated.
He also highlighted the “positive talk coming out of Russia about their willingness to consider all of these different things,” noting that Trump’s recent call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested “some degree of flexibility” in Kiev’s stance on negotiations.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson that aired on Friday evening, Witkoff discussed details from his March 13 meeting with Putin in Moscow. He went to the Russian capital as part of Trump’s shuttle diplomacy effort aimed at mediating an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“There are conditions that the Russians will need for an ultimate ceasefire because an ultimate ceasefire is complicated,” Witkoff told Carlson.
Witkoff pointed out that one of the key issues is the presence of Ukrainian troops in a small area of Russia’s internationally recognized territory in the Kursk Region. Recently, the Russian military reclaimed a substantial amount of territory previously held by Ukraine, including the border town of Sudzha. The Kremlin claims that some Ukrainian soldiers are encircled within Russian territory.
“They’ve got people trapped there, and [Trump] doesn’t want to see everybody getting killed. That’s a significant battlefield condition that has to be dealt with,” Witkoff remarked.
He further noted that Moscow has raised questions regarding the implementation of a potential ceasefire along the state borders and the extensive front line, which stretches over 2,000 km.
“Putin asked me in the meeting, ‘What should I do when in a particular area we have [Ukrainian soldiers] surrounded and they don’t want to give up? Do I kill them? How do I get them to give up?’” Witkoff recounted.
“And that one situation, Steve – this is Putin talking to me – is just one example of 70, 80, 90 different situations out there along the border, each one having different battlefield conditions, each one needing a separate conversation. That’s what has to happen for a ceasefire,” he explained.
According to the Kremlin, Putin informed Trump over the phone on Tuesday that Kiev had “repeatedly sabotaged and violated negotiated agreements.” He further stated that for a ceasefire to take effect, Ukraine must cease mobilization and the West must stop supplying weapons to Kiev.
During his conversation with Carlson, Witkoff emphasized that Trump is keen on negotiating a 30-day ceasefire, which could lead to a permanent truce. “We’re not far away from that,” he stated.
He also highlighted the “positive talk coming out of Russia about their willingness to consider all of these different things,” noting that Trump’s recent call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested “some degree of flexibility” in Kiev’s stance on negotiations.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
