U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff made a statement regarding his meeting with Russian President Putin. Witkoff stated that Putin is not a bad guy, but a great leader trying to end conflicts that have been ongoing for 3 years. Criticizing Netanyahu’s lack of planning on Gaza, Witkoff mentioned that Hamas could remain a political actor in Gaza if they disarm.

As the ice between the U.S. and Russia began to melt following Donald Trump taking office, relations between the two countries have continued to progress positively.

In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the meeting he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week. Witkoff described the meetings that lasted several hours as constructive and solution-oriented.

Witkoff expressed that he believed Putin was honest with him, saying, “I don’t see Putin as a bad guy. He is a great leader attempting to end conflicts that have lasted for 3 years.” He also mentioned that Putin informed him that when Trump was shot, he went to his local church to meet with the priest and pray for the President, not because he might become President, but because he had a friendship with him and was praying for his friend.

Witkoff added that Putin had commissioned a beautiful portrait of President Trump from a prominent Russian artist and had asked him to deliver the portrait to Trump. Discussing the challenging circumstances facing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Witkoff stated that “Zelensky is in a very, very difficult situation, but he has a nuclear country in front of him. Therefore, he needs to know that he will be dealt with. Now is the best time for him to make a deal.”

“If Hamas Disarms, It Can Remain a Political Actor in Gaza”

Criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not having a strategic plan regarding Gaza, Witkoff said, “There is neither a map nor a perspective in sight. This causes instability.” Witkoff also mentioned that despite Israel’s approach that Hamas should have no presence in the region, he said, “If Hamas disarms, it could remain a political actor in Gaza.” Highlighting the importance of understanding Hamas’s motivations, Witkoff said, “Hamas is not ideologically stubborn, and the Gaza conflict can end through dialogue.”

Touching on the issue of Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip, Witkoff stated that Netanyahu does not value Israeli prisoners. “The Israeli public wants the prisoners back, and Netanyahu goes against public opinion on the issue. Although I don’t always agree with him, I understand those who criticize him on this issue.” Emphasizing the importance of Qatar’s role in negotiations, Witkoff stressed that the Israeli government needs to understand that beyond military pressure, negotiations are also necessary. He pointed out that Gaza cannot have a sustainable future solely through aid, and Palestinians have the right to dream about the future as well.