Jaw-dropping interview with Tucker Carlson, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff made a series of stunning revelations about Vladimir Putin, Trump’s relationship with the Russian leader, and the high-stakes negotiations over Ukraine’s future.
With U.S. officials gearing up for peace talks in Saudi Arabia, Witkoff shed light on what really happened behind closed doors—offering insights into Putin’s mindset, the delicate ceasefire negotiations, and Trump’s surprising connection with the Russian president.
Putin: ‘Gracious’ and ‘Super Smart’
Witkoff didn’t hold back in his praise for the Russian leader, calling Putin “gracious” and “super smart.” He dismissed concerns about Putin’s KGB past, arguing that in the Soviet era, only the brightest individuals were recruited into the agency.
“I don’t regard Putin as a bad guy,” Witkoff stated. “He’s incredibly intelligent.”
Before his Moscow visit, a Trump official warned him to be cautious due to Putin’s background. But instead of fear, Witkoff saw sharp intellect and strategic thinking in the Russian president.
Putin’s Shocking Gift to Trump
The meeting between Witkoff and Putin took an unexpected turn when the Russian leader revealed a personal side few have seen. According to Witkoff, Putin prayed for Trump after last year’s assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally.
“He told me he went to his church and prayed for Trump, not because he was a presidential candidate, but because they had a friendship,” Witkoff revealed.
In a move that stunned even White House insiders, Putin then presented Witkoff with a “beautiful portrait” of Trump, commissioned by a top Russian artist, and asked him to personally deliver it to the former president. Trump was reportedly “touched” by the gesture.
Ukraine Ceasefire Deal in Chaos
Despite efforts to broker peace, Witkoff confirmed that Putin refused to agree to a full 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. Instead, the Russian leader offered a temporary halt to attacks on Ukraine’s power grid—on the condition that retaliatory strikes on Russia’s energy sector also stop.
The fragile truce has already been violated, with both sides blaming each other. On Friday, a Russian drone strike killed a family of three in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, further escalating tensions.
U.S. Envoy Forgets Ukrainian Territories Mid-Talks
One of the most eyebrow-raising moments of the interview came when Witkoff struggled to name the Ukrainian regions central to negotiations.
“The largest issue in the conflict is these so-called four regions… Donbas, Crimea… you know, the names… and two others,” he said.
For the record, the five contested regions are Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea. His apparent memory lapse raised questions about the depth of U.S. diplomatic engagement in the region.
The ‘Elephant in the Room’: Will Ukraine Cede Territory?
Witkoff admitted that from the Kremlin’s perspective, the occupied Ukrainian regions are now Russian territory. He suggested that the global community might have to acknowledge this reality.
“The Russians are de facto in control. The question is: Will the world recognize these regions as part of Russia? And can Zelensky politically survive if he does?” Witkoff posed.
Zelensky has repeatedly stated that Ukraine will never recognize the occupied territories as Russian. However, Witkoff’s comments suggest that this could be the key sticking point in negotiations.
Putin’s Disputed Referenda as ‘Evidence’ of Support
Witkoff backed Russia’s claim that regions like Donetsk and Luhansk willingly chose to separate from Ukraine, citing the Kremlin-staged referenda.
“They’re Russian-speaking,” he said. “The majority have indicated they want to be under Russian rule.”
International watchdogs, however, have dismissed these votes as illegitimate, with reports that ballots were cast under military pressure.
Ukraine ‘Agrees’ to Hold Presidential Elections
Despite Kyiv’s previous stance that elections were impossible during wartime, Witkoff claimed that Ukrainian leadership has agreed to move forward with presidential elections.
“Yes… They’ve agreed to it,” he asserted, though Ukrainian officials have yet to confirm.
U.S. Plans to ‘Collaborate’ with Russia Post-War
In a surprising twist, Witkoff revealed that Trump envisions future U.S.-Russia cooperation after the Ukraine war ends.
“Who doesn’t want a world where Russia and the U.S. collaborate? We could align on energy policies, share sea routes, and maybe even work together on AI,” he suggested.
With Trump and Putin set for a crucial phone call in the coming days, the world is watching closely. Will a ceasefire hold? Will Ukraine make territorial concessions? And what’s next for U.S.-Russia relations? The answers could change the course of history.
