In an interview with CBS News, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expressed his disagreement with the comments from Western officials about Russia’s lack of desire to cease hostilities in Ukraine. He feels optimistic about certain encouraging signs that might result in a peace deal soon.
When asked about French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments suggesting that Russia does not genuinely seek peace and may be intensifying the conflict, Witkoff declined to comment directly on these statements from the French president but described them as "unfortunate."
"I find it regrettable when individuals make such judgments without having direct experience themselves. However, I won’t be commenting on his statement as I am not aware of what was actually said," Witkoff declared.
Rather than keeping it to himself, he conveyed what he had learned and observed during discussions with Russia. The special envoy stated that he saw "constructive efforts spanning an extended duration" aimed at addressing the details of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
"The two nations share a 2,000-kilometer frontier, and they find themselves firing at one another from either side of this extensive 1,243-mile boundary. This complex truce presents numerous challenges; nonetheless, all parties involved are dedicated to engaging in such negotiations," observed the special envoy.
He mentioned that the meeting between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia along with his recent trip to Moscow have generated "significant positivity."
"I believe these are exceptionally positive developments, and I hope they indicate the potential for a short-term peace accord," Witkoff stressed.
When questioned about what else besides a ceasefire is under consideration for a possible peace deal, Witkoff affirmed that discussions include territorial matters as well.
"Several areas are known where Russian interests lie. A nuclear plant providing significant power to Ukraine must also be addressed. Access to ports and the possibility of an accord concerning the Black Sea add further complexity. The ceasefire’s execution involves numerous factors, making this scenario somewhat akin to the situation in Gaza—quite intricate indeed. Nevertheless, nobody is giving up," Witkoff stated conclusively.
He emphasized that everyone involved, including Europeans, is committed to taking all required actions to ensure peace in Ukraine succeeds.
Witkoff’s visit to Moscow
On March 13, Witkoff traveled to Moscow with the U.S. offer of a 30-day truce to present to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This marked Witkoff’s second trip to Russia.
As reported by Western media outlets, the special envoy had to await an audience with Putin for eight long hours, during which time Putin was engaged in talks with Belarus’s self-declared president, Alexander Lukashenko.
The meeting was arranged following US-Ukrainian discussions in Saudi Arabia on March 11. These talks led to an agreement for a 30-day truce along Ukraine’s battle lines. Additionally, the US restarted its military assistance shipments and intelligence provision to Ukraine.