Witkoff highlights Russia negotiations, calls Trump the 'ultimate decisionmaker'
Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff highlighted his recent negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine but noted that President Trump is the “ultimate decisionmaker” in the process.
Witkoff joined CBS News’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday, where he was asked by host Margaret Brennan about the 30-day ceasefire agreed to by the U.S. and Ukraine, but not Russia.
“Well, President Trump is the ultimate decisionmaker, our decisionmaker,” he said. “And President Putin for the country of Russia is their decision maker.”
“I think it’s a very positive sign that the two of them will be talking at some point,” Witkoff added.
Witkoff’s meeting came weeks after attempts from the U.S. to end the war.
U.S. officials met with Russian affiliates early on, causing concern for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky then met with Trump to reach a mineral deal that would push negotiations forward. The meeting ended with shouting, and Trump halted aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky has sought to repair the relationship, and the ceasefire deal was agreed to by both U.S. and Ukrainian officials.
Witkoff has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hasn’t confirmed whether he would agree to the deal. Some are questioning whether he is delaying ending the war.
Witkoff said that his meeting went well and there’s “positive momentum” and an inclination from both Russia and Ukraine to end the war.
“I think those are all very, very good trends and hopefully inform on the possibility of a near-term peace agreement,” Witkoff said.
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