Steve Witkoff gave an interview to a journalist known from pro -Russian views Tucker Carlsonin which he told about his visits to Moscow and meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Trump's envoy admitted that his second trip to Russia took on a “personal character” because of what he heard from the Russian president. He was supposed to confide in that he prayed for the American leader After the assassination of his life of July 14 last year.
Putin was to pray for Trump. American president moved
– He prayed for the president, not because he was the president of the United States or could become him, but because he was his friend. He prayed for a friend. Can you imagine sitting and listening to it? I returned home, gave this message to our president – explained Witkoff, adding that This information “touched” Trump.
In addition, Putin gave the US representative portrait of an American leader And he asked him to give him his own hands. Witkoff stated that it was a “nice gesture” who restored the “bond” between the presidents.
The American envoy argued that He doesn't consider Putin a bad one And he stated that the war was caused by various factors, not just the actions of the Russian leader.
Territorial issues with a bone of disagreement in the conflict of Russia and Ukraine
Steve Witkoff was also asked about the possibility of ending the war in Ukraine. He admitted that the biggest problem on the way to agreement, are Territorial issues. He stated that it was about Crimea, “Donbas, Lugansk and two more (regions – ed.)”.
– They (residents of these regions – editor's note) are Russian -speaking, There were referendumswhere the vast majority of people showed that they want to be under Russian rule. I think This is a key issue in this conflict – convinced Trump's representative.
Witkoff did not mention that the referendum of September 2022 was carried out in an unlawful mannerand their results were considered by external observers as forged. He also did not talk about the conditions of “voting”.
A special US envoy indicated that the most problematic are “constitutional issues in Ukraine regarding this, what they can agree towhen it comes to giving territories. “
– Russians de facto control these territories. The only question is Will the world decide that they are Russian territories. Will Zelanski be able to survive politically if he recognized them. This is the main issue of this conflict, absolutely – he said.
War in Ukraine. Witkoff about the agreement
Witkoff pointed out that he hopes for an agreement and the conversations are going in the right direction. – I want Ukraine to get out of it. I want Russia to get out of it (…). We want everyone to be happy with the agreement to some extent, with whom everyone can live he said.
On Monday, another round of talks between US and Russia and USA and Ukraine representatives will take place in Riyadh. According to the information provided by the AFP, the Ukrainian delegation will be led by the Minister of Defense Rust Umerov.
Sources: Unian, Ukrainian Truth, Politico