Trump Issues Ultimatum, Saying Russia, Ukraine Should Hold Direct Talks — Witkoff

TASS ^ | 5/13/25

[marshmallow]

According to the US President special envoy, if direct talks between Russia and Ukraine bring any result, there will be "a strong chance to getting an end to this conflict"

WASHINGTON, May 13. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump insists that Moscow and Kiev should hold direct negotiations, Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said, warning that Washington will otherwise walk away.

"The [US] president has issued an ultimatum to both sides that without those direct talks and if they don’t occur quickly, then he believes the United States ought to step back from this conflict whatever that means and just not be involved," Witkoff said in an interview with Breitbart News recorded on May 8. "This is something that we want to mediate. It’s not our war. We didn’t start the war, but we want to help to end it. The way that that happens is a ceasefire — everybody stops the violence, and we spend a bit of time together making sure we can deal with the major issues here and I think that we can," he emphasized.

According to Witkoff, if direct talks between Russia and Ukraine bring any result, there will be "a strong chance to getting an end to this conflict." Trump’s special envoy thinks that if the United States pulls back from the Ukraine conflict, "it’s bad for the Europeans, it’s bad for the Ukrainians," and, he added, "I don’t think it’s good for the Russians."

Earlier, Trump stated that his administration will abandon its push for a peace settlement in Ukraine if one of the two sides "makes it very difficult." Also, he warned that Washington would walk away from the negotiations to end the conflict if it finds that this is not doable.

[Glad2bnuts]

There must be a Ukraine patriot who can put the “Z” man out of the countries misery. He is destroying his own country for 100’s of Billions. A simple agreement, no NATO on Russian borders, Russia keeps land. END THIS.

[Who is John Galt?]

Here's the 'money quote':

"It’s not our war."

[Vermont Lt]

Because of Putin’s invasion, he HAS invited NATO onto his borders. Finland and Sweden had no desire to join NATO prior to that.

[pierrem15]

To whom is threatening to walk away from peace talks a threat?

The US is now allowing Ukraine or third parties like Germany to buy weaponry instead of paying for it ourselves. Russia is basically saying the "basis" for talks is Ukraine agreeing to the terms of capitulation outlined in 2022, which is a non-starter.

Not sure what the admin thinks it will accomplish.

[Karl Spooner]

"Also, he warned that Washington would walk away from the negotiations to end the conflict if it finds that this is not doable.">

The Art of the Surrender.

[Mariner]

It is my recommendation the US just walk away, period.

No diplomacy, no money and no arms.

We have no business in that part of the world.

[pierrem15]

It's funny how the Russian side seems to always think the war is due to Zelensky or that he controls Ukraine the way Putin does Russia.

It's almost as though the notion that a people can collectively decide to defend themselves without a dictator is so alien they literally can't comprehend it.

Zelensky can't agree to any terms that amount to capitulation: he would be replaced either by parliament or the Ukrainian Army.

[SaxxonWoods]

It’s not our fault Ukraine is suicidal.

[pierrem15]

The US is no longer supplying money and, unless there's a little left to be disbursed from Biden's last aid package, any weaponry being delivered by the US is paid for by Ukraine or the Europeans.

Selling weaponry bolsters our own defense industry and industrial base while also providing invaluable feedback regarding their performance.

[Resolute Conservative]

100%

[McGruff]

“without those direct talks and if they don’t occur quickly, then he believes the United States ought to step back from this conflict “

Please do.

[pierrem15]

It’s not our fault Ukraine is suicidal.

By next January, Russia will have been fighting Ukraine for longer that the Soviet Union fought Germany in WWII.

It would be like the US invading Mexico and not winning after more than three years. Pathetic.

[SaxxonWoods]

And?

[dennisw]

Come on Bad Vlad. You can do it. Unless he is getting cancer treatments at his Sochi palace.

[tet68]

There are four NATO countries bordering Ukraine,
should Russia complete its takeover it would have NATO
on IT’S border...
Hmmmmm.

[Petrosius]

There must be a Ukraine patriot who can put the “Z” man out of the countries misery.

Right! The one defending his country is the problem, not the one invading. That is some interesting logic that you have there.

A simple agreement, no NATO on Russian borders, Russia keeps land. END THIS.

Except that Putin has rejected this idea. He is demanding complete Ukrainian capitulation.

[fireman15]

It's funny how the Russian side seems to always think the war is due to Zelensky or that he controls Ukraine the way Putin does Russia.

I am not aware of many if any who believe that Zelensky controls Ukraine the way that Putin controls Russia. Zelensky has been a puppet from the time he was selected and before he was installed as "leader".

Obviously, the leadership of the Western Globo Homo Cabal has a sick sense of humor along with abundant hubris putting this empty-headed idiot in a roll where he continued his television comedy role as the "President of Ukraine".

I feel sorry for this clown who seemingly can play the piano with his penis. His handlers who have no interest in the well-being of the Ukrainian people will keep forcing him to cause more and more damage up until the day he and his wife are hanging from lamp posts. You can tell from his body language that he knows this day is rapidly approaching.

His only real hope for survival is to arrange a behind closed doors meeting with President Trump where he will fall on his knees and beg for his life and agree to renounce those who have been providing his marching orders.

[SaxxonWoods]

It is claimed that Putin is worn out and can’t win. Fine, don’t negotiate, keep fighting. Victory will be yours.

[adorno]

The U.S. would walk away?

Best news ever for Putin.

Which is why Putin will never be involved in talks. He knows that Trump could run out of patience, and Ukraine would basically have to go it alone.

Putin’s tactic is working wonderfully.