Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Sunday that the American president is expected to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, stating that the Russian president “accepts the philosophy” of Trump’s ceasefire and peace terms.
Witkoff told CNN that last week’s discussions with Putin were “positive” and “solution-oriented.”
He declined to confirm when asked whether Putin’s demands included the surrender of Ukrainian forces in Kursk, international recognition of Ukrainian territory seized by Russia as Russian, restrictions on Ukraine’s ability to mobilize, a ban on Western military aid, and the prohibition of foreign peacekeepers.
Putin said on Thursday that he supports a ceasefire but outlined numerous details that need to be negotiated before a deal could be reached.
The Russian president said he was open to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S., but raised unclear conditions for his support, raising questions about what the Kremlin truly wants.
