US special envoy Steve Witkoff sounded optimistic on March 23 ahead of a summit in Saudi Arabia aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, saying he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end the three-year conflict.
"I feel he wants peace," Witkoff said.
A US delegation is expected to meet with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia later on Sunday to discuss the possibility of a partial ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. US and Russian officials will then meet in Saudi Arabia on Monday.
"I think on Monday in Saudi Arabia we will see real progress, especially as it affects the ceasefire between the two countries' ships in the Black Sea. And starting from that, we will move towards a full ceasefire," Witkoff said.
Last week, Putin agreed to a temporary halt to attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, but refused to support a 30-day general ceasefire that US President Donald Trump hoped would be the first step towards a permanent peace deal.
Ukraine has accepted Trump's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
Asked about Western criticism of Putin, Witkoff said he believes there are two sides to every coin and downplayed concerns from Washington's NATO allies that Moscow could be emboldened by a deal and invade other neighbors.
"I just don't see him wanting to take over all of Europe. This is a very different situation than World War II," Witkoff said.
US President Donald Trump has made ending the war that Russia launched against Ukraine in 2022 a top priority.
The conflict has killed and injured over a million people. /REL (A2 Televizion)
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