U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff identifies the status of Crimea and four occupied regions as central obstacles in peace talks regarding Ukraine. He emphasizes the constitutional implications of territorial concessions and highlights ongoing discussions with Russia’s President Putin, expressing hope for broader cooperation. Zelensky maintains Ukraine’s stance against recognizing the territories as Russian, aiming for timely resolution during upcoming negotiations.
The primary challenge in achieving peace regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine is the unresolved status of Crimea and the four regions of mainland Ukraine occupied by Russia, which U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has identified as the “elephant in the room” in negotiations. During a comprehensive interview with Tucker Carlson, Witkoff noted that the U.S. is making unexpected progress with Russia, yet territorial conflicts continue to pose significant hurdles.
The regions in question—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—were annexed by Russia during its full-scale invasion, and Kyiv firmly opposes any territorial concessions. Witkoff, who hesitated to name the regions during the interview, pointed out that Russia has conducted referenda in these areas to gauge public sentiment towards joining Russia, which Kyiv and the international community have condemned as illegitimate propaganda efforts.
Witkoff asserted that these regions are predominantly Russian-speaking and suggested that the referenda indicated a desire to separate from Ukraine. Despite this claim, previous reports have highlighted concerns regarding the legitimacy of the voting process, noting that residents reported intimidation during the polls.
The envoy emphasized the constitutional implications for Ukraine’s territorial negotiations, noting that the control of these territories is a core issue that negotiators face. As peace talks are scheduled to resume in Saudi Arabia, Witkoff raised pertinent questions about the political viability of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accepting Russian claims over the disputed territories.
Zelensky reaffirmed last weekend that Ukraine does not recognize the annexed regions as Russian territories. Following talks in Jeddah, he expressed hope that resolving the territorial question would occur prior to discussing any ceasefires to expedite the negotiation process.
Witkoff expressed admiration for President Putin’s graciousness during their discussions, portraying the Russian leader as intelligent and straightforward. He recounted receiving a portrait of Donald Trump, commissioned by Putin, which highlighted a unique personal connection between the two leaders. This anecdote, along with insights from Witkoff, suggests potential avenues for U.S.-Russia cooperation beyond the current conflict.
Looking ahead, Witkoff hinted at possibilities for broader cooperation, including energy policy integration in the Arctic, collaboration on artificial intelligence, and joint efforts to supply liquefied natural gas to Europe. He posed a rhetorical question about the desirability of a collaborative U.S.-Russia relationship focused on mutual benefit.
In summary, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff underscores that the major obstacle in peace negotiations regarding Ukraine is the status of Crimea and the occupied regions, which are perceived as the central issue. Despite ongoing tensions and differing claims between Ukraine and Russia, Witkoff’s interactions with Putin reveal a potential for dialogue and collaboration on various fronts. The upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia may provide a platform for addressing these critical territorial discussions, which Zelensky hopes to resolve promptly.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
