A settlement in the Ukraine conflict requires the United States to fully comprehend Russia’s objectives and non-negotiable positions, according to a key U.S. envoy. Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special presidential envoy, stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been explicitly clear about Moscow’s goals and red lines, making a negotiated solution impossible without this understanding.
In an interview with Fox News, Witkoff, who has met Putin multiple times, defended the value of direct dialogue. “He’s never been anything other than straight with me,” Witkoff said, acknowledging criticism for his engagement. He argued that successful negotiations necessitate understanding the other side’s motivations, a process he pursued through extensive talks with the Russian leader.
These comments follow the third round of trilateral talks involving Russia, the United States, and Ukraine in Geneva, where Witkoff led the American delegation. He described the discussions as having yielded “meaningful progress.” Prior to those talks, Kremlin officials indicated that territorial issues would be central to the agenda.
Russia’s publicly stated conditions for a sustainable settlement are consistent and comprehensive. They include a full Ukrainian withdrawal from the Donbass regions that held referendums on joining Russia in 2022—votes not recognized internationally—along with Ukrainian commitments to permanent neutrality, complete demilitarization, and “denazification.” A core demand is Ukraine’s formal recognition of Russia’s newly defined borders, including the annexed territories.
Concurrently, Witkoff raised the possibility of a direct summit between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He expressed hope that proposals would be presented to both capitals within three weeks to facilitate such a meeting. The format could potentially evolve into a trilateral meeting including President Trump. Witkoff suggested positive developments might be announced soon.
However, significant obstacles remain for any leader-level talks. The Kremlin has stated that a summit must be held in Moscow and has offered guarantees for Zelensky’s safety. The Ukrainian government has categorically rejected any meeting under this condition, viewing it as a legitimization of Russian territory and authority.
The diplomatic efforts, led by Witkoff, represent a continued push by the Trump administration to broker an end to the conflict. The central challenge lies in bridging the vast gap between Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and Russia’s demands for security guarantees and recognition of its territorial gains. The coming weeks will test whether the reported progress in technical talks can translate into a framework acceptable to both Kyiv and Moscow, potentially necessitating direct engagement at the highest level.
