In a recent interview, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism regarding President Donald Trump's upcoming phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for Monday. Witkoff characterized the conversation as a critical step towards resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which escalated dramatically in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its sovereign neighbor. He stated that he believed this call would be instrumental in determining the current state of negotiations and how best to proceed towards a resolution.

“I believe that the president is going to have a successful call with Vladimir Putin,” Witkoff articulated on the ABC program “This Week.” He emphasized the rapport between Trump and Putin, noting that their previous encounters could facilitate productive discussions. Witkoff added, “The president is determined to get something done here... if he can't do it, then nobody can.” This sentiment underscores a strong belief within the Trump administration that the president's unique approach may yield results where others have struggled.

The context of this anticipated discussion is critical, as delegations from Ukraine and Russia convened in Turkey just days earlier for the first direct talks aimed at de-escalating the conflict. However, reports from Ukrainian sources indicated that the Russian delegation was presenting demands that were largely seen as unrealistic. This sentiment was echoed by Vice President JD Vance, who had previously remarked, “We think they're asking for too much.” In light of these developments, Witkoff appeared to agree with the assessment of the complexities surrounding the negotiations, stating, “This is a very complicated conflict that shouldn't have happened.”

During the interview, Witkoff elaborated on the nature of negotiations, explaining that it is common for both parties to initially take strong positions. “The art here is to narrow... that wide berth between the parties,” he remarked, suggesting that there has been some progress in aligning interests, although significant challenges remain. He expressed hope that Monday's call would provide clarity on the next steps necessary to advance negotiations.

Trump's scheduled conversation with Putin is set for 10 a.m. ET on Monday, and the president indicated that he would follow up with discussions involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and various NATO allies. This trilateral dialogue is crucial for fostering a united front in diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis.

In addition to the Ukraine discussions, Witkoff also addressed other critical foreign policy issues during the interview. When asked about the ongoing negotiations with Iran regarding nuclear enrichment, he articulated a firm stance on the matter. Witkoff stated, “We cannot allow even 1 percent of an enrichment capability,” indicating that any potential deal must categorically rule out uranium enrichment to prevent the possibility of weaponization.

Witkoff also touched upon the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, acknowledging the logistical challenges in delivering aid amid ongoing military operations. He noted that the administration is actively pursuing initiatives to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the region, indicating that mobile kitchens and food supplies are in the pipeline. “It is a very complicated situation,” he admitted, but expressed a commitment to addressing the urgent needs of the affected population.

Lastly, Witkoff dismissed recent concerns regarding ethical implications surrounding a generous gift from Qatar—a 747-8 jet for Air Force One. He emphasized that such transactions are standard practice between governments and highlighted the broader economic benefits of Qatar’s investments in the U.S., which he claimed would create jobs and stimulate growth.