U.S., Russia to discuss access to ZNPP, Black Sea ports – Witkoff

This was stated by Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, during an interview with CBS News, as reported by Ukrinform.

In response to a question about whether, beyond the ceasefire and peace agreement, Moscow and Washington are discussing technicalities in terms of territory that would be given up, Witkoff said that “there’re different battlefield conditions”.

“There are regions that we all know the Russians are focused on. There is a nuclear reactor that supplies quite a bit of electricity to the country of Ukraine. That’s got to be dealt with. There’s access to ports. There’s the Black Sea potential agreement, there are so many elements to the implementation of a ceasefire here,” Witkoff noted.

According to him, it is a complex situation, but “no one is throwing their hands up in the air”.

Commenting on the upcoming conversation between Trump and Putin scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, Witkoff emphasized that both leaders “have a real relationship from the President’s first term”.

“And I think this is going to be a very positive and constructive call between the two men, between the two presidents,” Witkoff said.

He also added that “President Trump is the ultimate decision maker,” while Putin is the decision maker for Russia.

“I think it’s a very positive sign that the two of them will be talking at some point. I think that’s showing that there’s positive momentum, that there’s an inclination on the part of both countries, and this includes Ukraine as well, to get to a long term, durable peace here,” Witkoff concluded.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he plans to speak with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, March 18, to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

Photo: Bloomberg