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The US has drawn red lines: what Kyiv and Moscow will talk about if they sit down to negotiate
US President Donald Trump’s special representative, Steve Witkoff, has voiced three key topics that could form the basis for possible negotiations between Ukraine and Russia:
- The future of the temporarily occupied territories,
- the status of Zaporizhzhya NPP,
- and Ukraine’s access to the Dnipro and the Black Sea.
He said this in an interview with Breitbart News.
“These are things that will not be difficult to solve if the parties sit down and talk to each other. We can narrow down the issues and find creative solutions,” said Vitkoff.
He stressed that he had already held conversations with Ukrainian leaders, including Zelenskyy, Yermak and Defence Minister Umerov, as well as with Kremlin officials, including Putin.
“Either peace or the US withdraws”
Witkoff also said that Trump had given both sides an ultimatum: either quick direct talks take place or the US withdraws from the process.
“This is not our war. We did not start it. But we want to help end it. If there is no progress, we will not be involved,” the special envoy said.
According to him, no agreement will be valid without Putin’s participation, so communication with all parties to the conflict is essential.
What does this mean for Ukraine?
The approach voiced by Vitkoff reflects the change in rhetoric of a part of the American political establishment, in particular the Trump camp, which may return to power.
In fact, it is an attempt to restart diplomatic channels, where the United States acts not as a party to the conflict, but as a neutral mediator, putting pressure on both sides to end the war.
However, such a position is not without risks: a reduced US role in the event of a failure of the negotiations could mean weaker support for Ukraine in the international arena.
