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Trust-Building Efforts Featuring U.S. Envoy’s Meeting with Putin
Washington — Steve Witkoff, appointed by President Trump as a special envoy to the Middle East, shared details about a significant three-and-a-half-hour dialogue he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month. This meeting was part of what Witkoff described as a “trust-building” initiative directed by President Trump.
During his trip to Moscow, Witkoff aimed to facilitate the release of Marc Fogel, an American who had been sentenced to 14 years in Russia for possessing medical marijuana. Fogel was released on February 11, and Witkoff confirmed he met with Putin prior to exiting Russia with him.
In an interview on “Face the Nation,” Witkoff expressed that two translators accompanied him at the meeting, highlighting that he was the sole U.S. representative. He emphasized his role in delivering a message from President Trump to Putin, and he indicated that Putin had a response to convey to the U.S. President as well.
“The meeting concluded, and I glanced at my watch; it had been nearly three and a half hours,” Witkoff reflected, suggesting that the extended duration might indicate productive discussions.
A real estate mogul and longtime associate of Trump, Witkoff remarked on Trump’s belief that effective communication is foundational to building trust. “We had an open and honest dialogue, and now it’s up to President Putin and President Trump to collaborate effectively. I have confidence in their ability to achieve positive outcomes,” he said.
Alongside his discussions in Moscow, Witkoff participated in a meeting in Saudi Arabia with both Russian and U.S. representatives the previous week, where officials agreed to initiate efforts toward resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine and exploring related economic opportunities, despite the absence of Ukrainian officials.
Witkoff clarified that the topic of lifting American sanctions on Russia did not arise during his discussions with Putin. However, he did mention that reaching a peace agreement could lead to expectations for American businesses to return to Russia.
Meanwhile, President Trump has previously suggested that Ukraine should reciprocate for the U.S. support it has received, emphasizing particular interest in the nation’s rare mineral resources. Recently, he has intensified a public strain with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, labeling him as a “dictator.” Reports emerged on Saturday from Russia’s deputy foreign minister indicating that plans are underway for a meeting between Trump and Putin.
Witkoff articulated the President’s objective as “to end this violence,” reiterating that the conflict in Ukraine was unnecessary and should not persist. “We’re actively addressing this under the President’s guidance, and I anticipate seeing significant developments in the near future,” he added.
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