Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump, expressed optimism regarding the peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, stating that “good news” could emerge soon. In an interview with Fox News, he indicated that he and Jared Kushner are working on proposals aimed at bridging gaps between the two nations within the next three weeks.
Witkoff suggested that a direct meeting might be possible between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, or even a trilateral discussion involving Trump. He characterized the ongoing conflict as senseless, highlighting the human cost and suggesting that neither nation genuinely desires war.
“They are arguing over this territory. You know, everyone throws around the word ‘dignity.’ But what does dignity give you when there are so many killings?” he remarked.
Despite criticism for meeting with Putin multiple times, Witkoff defended these interactions as essential for understanding the Russian leader and for negotiating effectively.
“We understand where they stand. I don’t think Ukrainians disagree with our assessment. I believe these meetings were important, and I hope we can resolve this matter,” he added.
Earlier, President Zelensky noted that constructive discussions had taken place during trilateral talks involving the U.S. and Russia, particularly regarding a ceasefire monitoring framework, which would primarily involve American oversight. Discussions also touched upon potential prisoner exchanges, although territorial issues remained unresolved.
The latest round of negotiations took place in Geneva on February 17-18. The first day saw Ukrainian, U.S., and Russian representatives engage in discussions aimed at ending the conflict. Following the joint session, Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov reported that delegations continued their work in smaller groups, focusing on practical issues and potential solutions.
On the same day, Umerov held a separate meeting with representatives from the U.S., France, the U.K., Germany, Italy, and Switzerland to review the outcomes of the initial discussions and synchronize future steps.
Witkoff noted significant progress from the first day of talks, stating that both sides agreed to update their leaders and continue working toward a peace agreement.
The second day of negotiations on February 18 featured intensive discussions. Umerov described the talks as substantive, with both political and military tracks being explored, including security parameters and implementation mechanisms for potential agreements. He mentioned that some issues were clarified while others would require further coordination. The next step would involve achieving the necessary consensus for presenting the developed solutions to the presidents.
Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky characterized the recent round of talks as “difficult but businesslike.” President Zelensky confirmed that the parties had achieved a level of “constructiveness” regarding ceasefire monitoring, with U.S. involvement assured.
On the same day, Kirill Budanov, head of the President’s Office and a member of the Ukrainian negotiating team, announced that another meeting would occur soon.
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy, is optimistic about upcoming peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, suggesting potential significant developments. Recent talks in Geneva have yielded constructive discussions, particularly around ceasefire monitoring and prisoner exchanges, though territorial disputes remain unresolved.