Putin Defends Witkoff's Role in Conveying Russian Views to Trump, Praises US Envoy's Objectivity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised US envoy Steve Witkoff for accurately conveying the Kremlin's viewpoint to Donald Trump. Witkoff, who met with Putin five times this year, said the two leaders agreed on offering security guarantees to Ukraine. Putin confirmed the agreement, but the Kremlin has not officially confirmed it. Witkoff's role in negotiations on the war in Ukraine has been criticized in the US, but Putin defended him, saying those who criticize him don't like Trump's position either.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly praised US envoy Steve Witkoff for his role in conveying the Kremlin's viewpoint to Donald Trump during negotiations on the war in Ukraine. Witkoff, who has met with Putin five times this year, has been at the center of discussions surrounding potential security guarantees for Ukraine. The two leaders reportedly agreed to offer such guarantees, although the Kremlin has not officially confirmed the agreement.

Putin, speaking in Beijing, described Witkoff as reliable in accurately conveying the Russian position to Trump. He stated, "He quite reliably conveyed to President Trump the position of the Russian side" [1]. Witkoff's role has been criticized in the US, but Putin defended him, stating that those who criticize Witkoff also dislike Trump's position [1].

In a separate meeting, Putin indicated that an agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine is possible, although he has maintained maximalist demands to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine [2]. The US administration is reportedly working with European partners and Kyiv on a security guarantees model, with the final proposals expected within 7-10 days after a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump at the White House on August 18 [3].

The upcoming Paris summit, scheduled for September 4, is expected to include discussions on Ukraine's security and potential security guarantees. The meeting will be attended by leaders from the US, Europe, and NATO, with the prospect of Trump's remote participation [3].

References:

[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-03/putin-defends-witkoff-s-role-in-conveying-russian-views-to-trump
[2] https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/deal-possible-ukraine-security-guarantees-131251922.html
[3] https://mezha.net/eng/bukvy/trump-may-join-paris-summit-on-ukraine-security-guarantees/