Trump’s top envoy Steve Witkoff tells CNN’s Jake Tapper that Trump is “involved in every aspect and dimension of these discussions” to end the war in Ukraine and says “we’re bridging the gap between two sides.”

Washington

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's top envoy, stated in a CNN interview with Jake Tapper that Trump is deeply involved in ongoing discussions aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Witkoff noted that Trump has been receiving immediate updates on developments, emphasizing that negotiations between the United States, Ukraine, and Russia are actively progressing. The discussions have so far included meetings with Ukrainian representatives, with plans to engage Russian negotiators in the coming days.

Witkoff anticipates that a conversation involving both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will occur soon. However, he refrained from commenting on potential U.S. recognition of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory, suggesting the topic is still too premature for discussion. He acknowledged the challenging circumstances on the ground, noting the complex dynamics along the 2,000-kilometer frontline and the strategic significance of regions like Kursk.

In the interview, Witkoff expressed optimism about reaching a resolution, reflecting on the positive steps since Trump's inauguration. The ultimate goal remains to bridge the gap between the conflicting sides. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also expressed hope that Russia would agree to Ukraine’s ceasefire conditions, though he acknowledged that the decision would ultimately lie with Putin.



Witkoff says he expects a Trump-Putin call ‘this week’

Has President Trump decided on next steps or these negotiations at any point where President Trump himself might get involved? Well, I think President Trump is involved in every aspect and dimension of these discussions. I briefed him within five or ten minutes of the meeting with President Putin. I was in the U.S. Embassy briefing him and the Vice President and Susie Wiles, our Chief of Staff, and Mike Waltz, our National Security Advisor. So we're, they're getting, the President is getting updates in real time on everything that's happening and he's involved in every important decision here. I expect that there'll be a call with both Presidents this week and we're also continuing to engage and have a conversation with the Ukrainians. We're advising them on everything we're thinking about. Is the U.S. willing, as part of this peace process, to recognize Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory as Russian territory as part of a deal? I don't want to speak to that at this moment. I mean, I think it's a little bit premature to get into that now. I think the, we're going to have teams, United States negotiators, meeting with Ukrainians this week and discussions with them this week. Same thing will happen with the Russians. And I think, as the President said, he really expects there to be some sort of, some sort of deal in the coming weeks, maybe. And I believe that that's the case. I actually believe that that's the sort of progress that we saw in my conversation with President Putin and that's the sort of progress that we saw in the Saudi talks. So after Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire without preconditions, take a listen to what Secretary of State Marco Rubio said about Russia. We're going to tell them this is what's on the table. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking. And now it'll be up to them to say yes or no. I hope they're going to say yes. And if they do, then I think we've made great progress. If they say no, then we'll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here. So Putin has not immediately said yes to this ceasefire deal. So as Secretary Rubio puts it, is it, is it now clear that Putin is the impediment to peace right now? I think, look, I don't want to put, put words in President Putin's mouth, but I think he's indicated that he accepts, he accepts the philosophy of President Trump. President Trump wants to see an end to this. I think President Putin wants to see an end to this. I think President Zelensky wants to see an end to this. I think that there are specific conditions in the field. There's a 2,000 kilometer border that, where there's all kinds of fighting going on currently between Russian and Ukrainian troops. There's a Kursk region that's important to, to think about here. These are all details that have to get worked out at the table. And all sides, I believe, are committed to doing that. When do you think there will be a deal? You said soon, weeks, months? You know, the president uses the word, uses the timeframe weeks, and I don't disagree with him. I'm really hopeful that we're going to see some real progress here. We've made, Jake, I think everybody has to focus on the progress that's been made since the president was inaugurated. Nobody expected progress this fast. This is a highly, very complicated situation. And yet, we're bridging the gap between two sides. So lots of things that, that remain to be discussed. But I think the two presidents are going to have a really good and positive discussion this week.

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Ukraine Invasion