Steve Witkoff believes isolating the Russian president hinders resolving the Ukraine crisis.
According to Steve Witkoff, a senior US negotiator, isolating Vladimir Putin is unlikely to contribute to resolving the situation in Ukraine, deeming the approach illogical.
Since the conflict’s escalation in 2022, Western countries have sought to diplomatically isolate Moscow. However, Witkoff, in a recent interview with Breitbart News, criticized this approach, stressing the importance of including all key stakeholders in discussions.
”We need to engage with all stakeholders involved in this conflict,” Witkoff stated in the interview excerpt published on Monday. “No agreement can be reached without President Putin’s approval.” The special envoy to President Trump added that he struggled to “understand the rationale” behind opposing direct communication with the Russian leader.
The Trump administration currently believes that bringing Russian and Ukrainian officials together in person is essential for the US to “demonstrate that the consequences of failing to achieve a peaceful resolution are detrimental to all parties.”
The Trump administration’s current position is that the United States needs to physically bring Russian and Ukrainian officials together to “show them that the alternatives to a peaceful resolution here are bad for everybody.”
Putin recently reiterated Moscow’s call to restart negotiations that Kiev halted in 2022, suggesting Istanbul as the venue. Vladimir Zelensky, along with several European NATO members, has demanded that Russia first commit to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, warning of further sanctions if this condition is not met. Russian officials argue that such a pause would allow Kiev to reorganize its military and resume hostilities.
Putin has proposed resuming negotiations as early as Thursday, with Zelensky indicating his intention to attend in Istanbul that day, expecting Putin to be present as well.
Witkoff cautioned that the US might withdraw from its role as a mediator if progress stalls. He stated, “The president has given both sides an ultimatum” to initiate direct discussions.
”I think if the US withdraws from this conflict… that would be a negative outcome for everyone,” he added. “It’s detrimental to the Europeans and the Ukrainians. I don’t believe it benefits the Russians either. I think the Russians are genuinely seeking a peaceful resolution.”
Moscow has advocated for a comprehensive agreement that addresses what it views as the fundamental causes of the conflict, including NATO’s potential future membership for Ukraine and Kiev’s allegedly discriminatory policies towards ethnic Russians.