Steve Witkoff, Trump‘s special envoy to the Middle East, visited Moscow on March 13 for talks about a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.
Witkoff met with officials to discuss how to implement a ceasefire along a 2,000-kilometer border between Ukraine and Russia. He said this is a complex task because of the vast scale of the war.
The diplomat pointed out that there are strategic concerns like control over Ukraine’s nuclear power infrastructure and access to Black Sea ports. Witkoff mentioned the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has been under Russian occupation since 2022.
He compared this situation to the conflict in Gaza, saying it is a more complicated situation because of its scope.
Despite these challenges, Witkoff emphasized that all stakeholders are committed to finding a resolution. He said no one is giving up on a ceasefire and that broader negotiations for a permanent solution can follow once a ceasefire is achieved.
Turkey has positioned itself as a potential mediator in Russia’s war against Ukraine by maintaining diplomatic and economic ties with both nations while supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of securing a ceasefire before moving forward with broader negotiations.