Washington - Saba:
A meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin is likely to take place in the next few months, the US President's Special Envoy said.
In an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson, according to the Russian channel RT, Stephen Witkoff added that "there was a wonderful relationship between Presidents Trump and Putin during Trump's first term. I think Putin is well aware that it is difficult for Trump to visit Russia at the moment, and I believe they will meet in the next few months. It was very nice of Putin to receive me on March 13, and I would like to acknowledge that," noting that the two presidents exchanged signals of their willingness to dialogue.
The US envoy described Russian-American cooperation as logical for achieving common goals. Witkov said that a world in which Russia and the United States cooperate to achieve common goals seems logical and desirable.
He added, "Who among us wouldn't want to live in a world in which Russia and the United States cooperate on useful projects? For example, implementing integrated energy policies in the Arctic, or jointly using cargo shipping lines, or shipping liquefied natural gas to Europe? Perhaps cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, if we can overcome the difficulties of technology exchange. Who among us wouldn't want to see such a world?"
During the interview, Witkov emphasized that the main issue in the Ukrainian conflict remains the status of the new Russian regions, specifically Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, and the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.
He said, "These regions are Russian-speaking, and referendums were held there in which the vast majority of people expressed their desire to join Russia. Yes, I believe this is the central issue in the conflict. This is what must be resolved above all else, and we are having very positive talks on this issue. This is a constitutional issue within Ukraine related to the possibility of relinquishing territories effectively controlled by Russia. The question is, will he recognize that these are now Russian territories? And will Zelensky be able to survive politically if he does? This is the central issue of the conflict."
The US envoy emphasized that the current US administration seeks to reach a fair agreement with Kyiv to resolve the crisis, but will not allow itself to be dragged into a third world war.
According to him, Washington considers the risk of using nuclear weapons, including tactical ones, completely unacceptable. He said, "The use of even a small tactical nuclear weapon would inevitably lead to a collapse in global stock markets. This cannot be allowed to happen. President Trump's policy is that we cannot be dragged into a third world war."
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