Wyckoff named the most difficult issue in negotiations to end the war

The status of the Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia is the key problem in resolving the war on the territory of Ukraine, the special representative of the US president, Steven Witkoff, has said in an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson.

In my view, the core problem of this conflict is four regions - Donbass, Crimea, Luhansk and two other regions that are known. These are Russian-speaking territories. Referendums were held there, where the majority of the inhabitants were in favour of joining Russia. I believe that this is the key issue in the conflict," he said.

He stressed that the main question is whether the world will recognise these territories as belonging to the Russian Federation.

This is the elephant in the room. These are constitutional questions within Ukraine as to what they can concede to when it comes to giving up territories. The Russians have de facto control of those territories. The question is, will the world recognise that these are Russian territories? Can Zelensky survive politically if it recognises this? This is the central question of the conflict. Absolutely," he believes.

We shall remind you that talks between representatives of Ukraine and the USA were held in Saudi Arabia on 11 March. Following their results, Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to immediately introduce a 30-day ceasefire regime.

on 13 March, US special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow for talks on a ceasefire. Vladimir Putin said that he agreed to a 30-day ceasefire if certain conditions were met, stressing that the move should lead to long-term peace.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Putin's statement "another Russian manipulation" and expressed the opinion that Russia was preparing the ground for a cease-fire cancellation.

Donald Trump, commenting on the situation, said that Russia's refusal to abandon the ceasefire for 30 days would be "a disappointing signal for the world".