US Envoy Meeting Putin: "Trump and Putin Scheduled to Talk This Week"

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff
"Narrowing the Gap Between Both Sides... Positive Talks Expected"

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to have a phone call this week, Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Trump, revealed on the 16th (local time).

AP Yonhap News

In an interview with CNN on the same day, Special Envoy Witkoff spoke about his meeting with President Putin in Moscow on the 13th, saying, "The meeting lasted for 3 to 4 hours and was positive," and "The discussion centered around a resolution to end the war."

Earlier, Special Envoy Witkoff arrived in Moscow on the 13th and met with President Putin. This was shortly after senior U.S. and Ukrainian delegations agreed on a '30-day ceasefire plan' in Saudi Arabia on the 11th.

He explained, "Immediately after meeting President Putin, I briefed President Trump," adding, "The President is monitoring all situations in real time and is involved in every important decision."

Regarding the peace negotiations, Special Envoy Witkoff said, "It is very complex, but we are narrowing the gaps between both sides," emphasizing, "There are many issues left to discuss, but I believe the two presidents will have very good and positive talks this week." He also stated that President Putin "accepts President Trump's philosophy."

He further announced that the U.S. negotiation team will meet with both Ukrainian and Russian sides this week to discuss the terms of the peace agreement.

Special Envoy Witkoff expressed, "I expect some form of agreement to be reached within the next few weeks," and emphasized, "From my talks with President Putin, I believe progress similar to what we saw in Saudi Arabia will be made."

President Trump also said in an interview with the news program 'Full Measure,' recorded on the 14th and aired on the same day, that the peace negotiations with Russia "seem to be going well," adding, "I think we will know more by Monday (the 17th), and I hope it goes well." When asked about the possibility that President Putin might not agree to the ceasefire, he responded, "Too many people are dying, and it would be bad news for the world," but added, "I think he will agree."