US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff: “Putin Wants Peace,” Progress in Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Talks

Witkoff Reveals Details of Trump’s High-Stakes Diplomacy on “Fox News Sunday”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff joined Fox News Sunday with host Shannon Bream to discuss the latest ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, revealing new insights into President Trump’s direct involvement in brokering peace between the warring nations.

Putin’s Position: “I Feel That He Wants Peace”

During the interview, Bream pressed Witkoff on whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is genuinely interested in ending the war in Ukraine.

“I feel that he wants peace,” Witkoff responded. “The President had two very productive calls last week—one with President Zelensky, one with President Putin. I was in on, I sat and listened to both of them.”

The Special Envoy emphasized that “lots of progress got made” in the past week, noting a key breakthrough in which both sides agreed to a temporary moratorium on attacks against energy infrastructure.

This agreement marks the first significant de-escalation in the nearly three-year-long conflict, signaling potential momentum toward a broader ceasefire.

Witkoff’s Meetings with Putin: Clearing Misconceptions

Witkoff also shed light on his own personal interactions with Putin, explaining that he met with the Russian leader twice at Trump’s direction as part of ongoing diplomacy efforts.

“President Putin told me at the first meeting that he had no conversation with the prior administration, in particular President Biden, for three and a half years,” Witkoff revealed.

“We discussed real ways to end this conflict. That led to a second conversation.”

According to Witkoff, Trump’s direct engagement with Putin and Zelensky is key to making diplomatic headway, something the Biden administration failed to achieve.

“This is at President Trump’s direction. His philosophy of peace through strength brings people to the table to clear up misconceptions and to get peace deals done,” he explained.

The Perception of Putin: Is He a Tyrant?

Bream then asked about Putin’s characterization as a tyrant, a label that has shaped much of the Western narrative since the war began.

“Do you feel like there is a misconception though about the characterization of him as a tyrant?” she asked.

Witkoff responded carefully, stating that while both sides have grievances, the primary goal is ending the violence.

“There are grievances on both sides, but our job—again, at the direction of the President—is to narrow the issues, bring the parties together, and stop the killing,” he stated.

Trump’s Diplomatic Strategy: Peace Through Strength

At the heart of the discussion was President Trump’s approach to international diplomacy, which Witkoff reaffirmed as “peace through strength.”

Unlike Biden’s heavy-handed, sanction-based foreign policy, Trump has prioritized direct negotiations and diplomatic engagement to resolve global conflicts.

While critics claim this approach is too soft on Putin, Witkoff argues that it is the only path toward a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.

“Trump’s philosophy brings people to the table, clears up misconceptions, and gets peace deals done,” he reiterated.

What’s Next? Ceasefire Talks Continue in Riyadh

The next round of U.S.-led ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Witkoff, along with other senior U.S. officials, is expected to push for:

✅ A formal ceasefire agreement beyond the current infrastructure moratorium
✅ Defined “lines of control” to freeze active combat zones
✅ A long-term framework for peace negotiations

Trump administration officials remain optimistic that a broader ceasefire could be reached within weeks, potentially by April 20, according to sources familiar with the planning.

Final Thoughts: A Turning Point in the Russia-Ukraine War?

With Trump reasserting U.S. leadership on the global stage, and direct talks between Russia and Ukraine yielding progress, the war may finally be approaching a diplomatic breakthrough.

💬 Do you think Trump’s “peace through strength” approach will succeed where Biden failed? Will a ceasefire be reached soon?