Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s envoy, claims the Russian president voiced apprehension regarding potential ceasefire breaches by Ukrainian forces.
Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, revealed that Vladimir Putin expressed concern that Ukrainian troops might not adhere to a potential ceasefire agreement.
Witkoff, in an interview with Tucker Carlson on Friday, disclosed details of his March 13 meeting with Putin in Moscow. This trip was part of Trump’s diplomatic efforts to mediate an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
“For a lasting ceasefire, Russia has specific conditions, as such a ceasefire is a complex matter,” Witkoff stated.
According to Witkoff, a key concern is the presence of Ukrainian troops in a small section of Russia’s internationally recognized Kursk Region. Recently, the Russian military has reclaimed a considerable amount of territory previously held by Ukraine, including the town of Sudzha on the border. The Kremlin reports that some Ukrainian soldiers are currently surrounded within Russian territory.
“They have soldiers trapped, and [Trump] wants to avoid further casualties. This is a significant condition on the battlefield that needs to be addressed,” Witkoff explained.
Witkoff also mentioned Moscow’s concerns about enforcing a ceasefire along the extensive 2,000 km (1,240 miles) border and front line.
“During the meeting, Putin asked me what he should do with Ukrainian soldiers who are surrounded and unwilling to surrender. He asked if he should kill them, and how to get them to give up,” Witkoff recounted.
“Putin told me that the scenario he described was just one of potentially 70, 80, or 90 similar situations along the border, each with its unique battlefield circumstances, and each requiring individual negotiation. He said that these situations would all need to be resolved to achieve a ceasefire,” Witkoff added.
The Kremlin reported that Putin told Trump on Tuesday that Kiev “had consistently undermined and broken negotiated agreements.” Putin insisted that a successful ceasefire requires Ukraine to halt mobilization efforts and the West to cease supplying weapons to Kiev.
Witkoff told Carlson that Trump seeks to negotiate an initial 30-day ceasefire, followed by a permanent truce. “We’re close to achieving that,” he asserted.
Witkoff highlighted the “positive rhetoric from Russia suggesting their willingness to consider these various factors.” He also noted that Trump’s discussion with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Wednesday indicated “some openness” in Kiev’s negotiation stance.