US Special Envoy to the Middle East Highly Appreciates President Putin

Mr. Witkoff also emphasized that referendums in the regions annexed by Russia showed that "the majority of people want to be under Russian control." Russia announced that it would annex four regions of Ukraine - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - by September 2022.

President Trump and Steve Witkoff. Photo: White House

Witkoff also expressed sympathy for the Russian President, stating: "I don't consider Mr. Putin a bad person." He also revealed that when Mr. Trump was assassinated in July 2024, President Putin prayed for Mr. Trump.

“When the President was shot, he (Putin) went to the local church, met with the priest and prayed for the President,” Witkoff said. According to him, President Trump was “very moved” when he heard this story.

Witkoff also said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his chief of staff Andriy Yermak had "admitted" that Ukraine would not be able to join NATO - something Kiev has been campaigning for for years.

However, Ukraine has not formally abandoned its request to join NATO, arguing that NATO membership is necessary to ensure that Russia cannot re-attack Ukraine after a ceasefire agreement.

Other forms of security guarantees for Ukraine are still “under discussion,” according to Witkoff.

Cao Phong (according to Newsweek, CNN)