US Envoy Highlights Territorial Disputes as Central Issue in Ukraine Peace Talks
US special envoy Steve Witkoff states that the status of Crimea and four occupied regions is the main impediment to peace talks regarding Ukraine. Despite progress with Russia, territorial issues remain contentious. Witkoff describes positive engagement with Putin and highlights the potential for US-Russia cooperation post-conflict.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff highlighted that the key challenge in resolving the conflict in Ukraine centers on the status of Crimea and four occupied Ukrainian regions, referring to them as the “elephant in the room” during peace talks. Witkoff, in an interview, mentioned that the US administration has made unexpected progress in discussions with Russia, but territorial issues remain unresolved.
The four regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—were annexed by Russia amid its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv has continuously opposed any concession regarding these territories. While referenda conducted by Russia suggested a desire for these areas to join Russia, this was dismissed by Kyiv and international observers as sheer propaganda. Witkoff claimed these areas are predominantly Russian-speaking and that votes were indicative of their inclination towards Russian governance.
Witkoff emphasized the critical questions surrounding Ukraine’s internal constitutional issues regarding territorial concessions. As negotiations are set to restart in Saudi Arabia, he raised concerns about whether the world would recognize the territories as Russian and whether Ukraine’s President Zelensky could politically afford to acknowledge this reality.
Zelensky reinforced Ukraine’s stance, asserting that the nation will not recognize the annexed territories as part of Russia. The recent discussions in Jeddah involved the US highlighting this matter, with Zelensky expressing a desire to reach a resolution in future negotiations rather than an immediate ceasefire to expedite progress in talks.
Additionally, Witkoff described his interactions with Russian President Putin as unexpectedly positive. He characterized Putin as “gracious” and “intelligent,” defending him against negative assumptions related to his background in the KGB. Witkoff recalled sharing a personal connection with Putin, including a commissioned portrait of Trump that Putin had created as a token of friendship. This gesture reportedly resonated with Trump.
Witkoff hinted that resolving the conflict in Ukraine could pave the way for broader collaboration between the US and Russia on various issues, including energy policies and technology. He questioned the potential benefits of a world where the two countries worked together towards common goals, particularly in areas like Arctic energy integration and AI development.
In summary, US envoy Steve Witkoff identifies territorial disputes over Crimea and four occupied Ukrainian regions as the primary obstacle to peace negotiations in Ukraine. Despite some progress, significant challenges remain concerning public acknowledgment of these territories’ status. While Witkoff praises his discussions with President Putin, the resolution of the conflict could foster broader US-Russia cooperation. The ongoing negotiations aim to redefine these territorial questions to facilitate lasting peace.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
