The US special mission to Middle Eastern Steve Witkov said on Sunday that President Donald Trump is likely to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin this week.
Appearing in CNN’s “The State of the Union,” Witkov was asked when a contract would be expected to end the war in Ukraine.
“The president uses time frames and I don’t oppose him. I really hope that we will see some real progress here,” Witkov said. “No one has made any progress at this fast. This is a very complicated situation, but we’re closing the gap between the two aspects. So, there’s a lot that’s not discussed, but I think the two presidents will have a really good positive argument this week.”
“We have never come this close to peace since Russia invaded Ukraine,” Levitt told reporters.
Russian Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will likely give a speech this week, according to US special envoy Steve Witkov. (Getty Images)
Trump’s special envoy met with Putin in Moscow on Thursday after Saudi Ukrainian officials agreed to the conditions that could lead to a ceasefire with Russia.
Witkov said he met with Putin for three to four hours, and had a “positive” and “solution-based” discussion.
“We had another visit before this visit, and before that visit, both were miles away,” Witkoff told CNN host Jakkapper. “The two sides are pretty close today. There have been some really positive results from the Saudi Arabia debate led by national security adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.”
“I’m describing my conversation with Putin as equally positive,” Witkov said. “On both sides… we narrowed their differences, and now we’re at the table. I was with the President all day yesterday, and I’m with him today.
US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff will speak to media members outside the White House on Thursday, March 6, 2025 (Getty Images via Al Drago/Bloomberg)
Trump “Hope” Putin agrees to a ceasefire as Moscow has not yet been ceasefire
It was Witkov’s second time meeting Putin last month. The first sit-in in mid-February freed the Russians of America, Mark Vogel.
Witkoff said he explained to US Embassy Head Susie Wills, Prime Minister Waltz, Vice President J.D. Vance and President Trump within five to ten minutes of meeting with Putin last week.
Steve Witkov, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 18, 2025.
“President Trump is involved in all aspects and aspects of these debates,” Witkoff said. “The president is up to date in real time on everything that’s going on and is involved in all the important decisions here. We expect to see a call with both presidents this week, and we continue to engage and have conversations with Ukrainians.
“The four regions are very important here,” Witkoff said of the terms of the transaction. “And we’re talking with Ukraine. All these stakeholders are talking with European countries, so we’re talking with France, the UK, Norway, Finland… including the entire host. And we’re talking with Russians about those regions too.
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Witkov flew from Doha, Qatar to Moscow last week, where he mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a potential extension of the ceasefire agreement.
Daniel Wallace is a news and political reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and to X:@danimwallace.
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