Interview with Steve Witkoff on "Face the Nation," March 16, 2025
On March 16, 2025, Steve Witkoff, President Trump's envoy to the Middle East, appeared on "Face the Nation" with Margaret Brennan.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Joining us now from Miami Beach is Steve Witkoff, the Special Envoy to the Middle East. Welcome back, Ambassador.
STEVE WITKOFF: Thank you, Margaret. It's great to be here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You just heard Secretary of State Rubio discussing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. You recently met with Vladimir Putin. Do you think his intentions are genuine, or is this just a delay tactic?
STEVE WITKOFF: I spent a significant amount of time there, and I agree with the Secretary's view. We made substantial progress in our meeting, which lasted at least three hours. We addressed many specific issues, and the gap between Ukraine and Russia has narrowed significantly since the inauguration. I believe this meeting highlighted our progress.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You mentioned earlier that Presidents Trump and Putin are expected to talk this week. Is this a decision-making conversation or just the next step?
STEVE WITKOFF: I believe they have a strong relationship from President Trump's first term. They've already spoken after my initial meeting with President Putin. This upcoming call should be positive and constructive.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Will decisions be made about the proposed 30-day ceasefire that the U.S. and Ukraine have agreed to, but Russia has not publicly supported?
STEVE WITKOFF: President Trump is our decision maker, and President Putin is Russia's. The fact that they will be talking is a positive sign, indicating a willingness from all parties, including Ukraine, to work towards a lasting peace.
MARGARET BRENNAN: France's President recently expressed skepticism about Russia's intentions, noting increased fighting. Putin appeared on television in military attire, discussing the war's root causes. How did his private message differ?
STEVE WITKOFF: I'm not aware of President Macron's comments, so I can't speak to them. However, I witnessed a constructive effort to discuss field specifics. The 2,000-kilometer border between Ukraine and Russia presents a complex ceasefire challenge, yet all parties are committed to dialogue. Technical teams from both sides are involved, and recent meetings in Saudi Arabia were promising. These are positive trends towards a potential peace agreement.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Beyond the ceasefire, are you discussing territorial concessions?
STEVE WITKOFF: The focus is on establishing a ceasefire over a 2,000-kilometer border, which is about 1,200 miles. This doesn't include key conflict areas like Kursk. We need to address various battlefield conditions, regions of interest to Russia, a nuclear reactor supplying Ukraine, port access, and potential Black Sea agreements. It's a complex situation, but all stakeholders, including Europeans, are committed to a resolution.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Regarding Gaza, what are the specifics of relocating the 2 million Palestinians? Are you considering countries beyond Egypt and Jordan?
STEVE WITKOFF: We're exploring all options for improving life for Gazans and Israelis. Currently, our focus is resolving the conflict. At the recent Arab Summit, we spent significant time with Arab leaders, but Hamas' response was disappointing. We proposed a sensible bridge to a final resolution, including Hamas' demilitarization, which is crucial for Israel. However, Hamas rejected our proposal, which was unfortunate. I hope they reconsider, as the alternative isn't favorable for them.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Thank you for your time, Ambassador Witkoff. We'll continue with more "Face the Nation."