Trump's Special Envoy Visits Russia to Discuss Ukraine Ceasefire and Rebuilding US-Russia Relations | WPN World People News

On March 13, Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs under President Donald Trump, visited Moscow for talks. In addition to discussing the Ukraine issue, Witkoff's visit will also cover the future development of US-Russia relations and economic recovery. Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a press conference on the same day, expressed general support for the 30-day ceasefire agreement proposed by the U.S. However, he emphasized that further discussions are needed regarding the details and ensuring long-term peace.

In a joint statement following US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia on March 11, it was noted that Kyiv is prepared to accept the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in exchange for the immediate resumption of intelligence exchanges and aid to Ukraine. Trump also pressured Putin, stating that if Russia does not accept the temporary ceasefire agreement, the U.S. would impose sanctions that would severely harm Russia. According to Reuters, Russia has submitted a list of conditions for the ceasefire agreement to end the conflict and rebuild US-Russia relations, though this has not been confirmed by the Russian side.

Russian President's Foreign Policy Assistant Yuri Ushakov, in an interview, stated that the 30-day ceasefire agreement is merely intended to give Ukrainian forces a respite, and that Russia must consider its own interests with the long-term goal of peace in mind. He added that Witkoff had met with Putin last month and that future discussions between both parties would be arranged behind closed doors, with the special envoy’s identity not being disclosed.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also warned again on March 13 that Russia will not accept the deployment of foreign troops or foreign military bases in Ukraine. Such actions would be considered a direct hostile act against Russia, and appropriate measures would be taken in response.

On March 12, Putin appeared in military uniform in the Kursk region, instructing Russian forces to fully liberate areas previously controlled by Ukrainian forces. On March 13, Russian forces announced that they had fully taken control of the strategic town of Sudzha in the Kursk region. This town, with a population of 5,000, had been the largest target seized by Ukrainian forces after a cross-border attack last year.