U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism for the upcoming negotiations in Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. He indicated that Russian President Putin allegedly desires peace and addressed concerns over potential further Russian aggression in Europe, stating that the dynamics have changed since World War II. Witkoff emphasized the importance of communication to halt violence. Ukraine’s upcoming meetings will include U.S. representatives, with no direct discussions with Russia planned.

On Sunday, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism regarding the upcoming negotiations in Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine, stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly “wants peace,” according to reports by Reuters. Witkoff anticipated significant progress during the discussions, particularly concerning a ceasefire in the Black Sea between Ukraine and Russia.

Moreover, Witkoff indicated that a ceasefire could potentially lead to a broader agreement to cease hostilities. When addressing concerns from European Union nations about the implications of such an agreement enabling further invasions by Russia, he asserted, “I just don’t see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War II. In World War II, there was no NATO.”

Witkoff emphasized that the immediate priority is to halt the violence, underscoring the need to communicate effectively with both parties involved. He remarked, “Let’s end this thing. You can’t end things without communicating with both sides, understanding what each of them needs, and then trying to bring them together, and that’s what we’re doing.”

Additionally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian officials are scheduled to meet with U.S. representatives on March 24 in Saudi Arabia at the technical team level. Zelenskyy highlighted that a meeting with Russia is also planned for this date. Meanwhile, Keith Kellogg, the U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine, confirmed that American teams would participate in indirect negotiations with both countries.

However, Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, clarified that Ukrainian representatives regard the upcoming meeting as bilateral with the U.S., with no intention of engaging directly with Russian officials during this session.

In conclusion, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has conveyed optimism regarding the peace negotiations in Saudi Arabia, highlighting potential progress towards a ceasefire in the Black Sea. He alleviated concerns about Russia’s ambitions in Europe, asserting that the focus should remain on stopping the violence. Upcoming meetings will involve discussions between Ukraine and U.S. representatives, while direct interactions with Russian officials are not anticipated at this time.

Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua

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