Sat Mar 22 09:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Witkoff Claims Territorial Disputes Key Obstacle to Resolving Ukraine War
**Kiev, Ukraine** – Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East (note: This title needs verification; no readily available information confirms this appointment), has controversially claimed that the core issue hindering a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine is the status of the four regions of Donbas, Luhansk, Crimea, and two others (unnamed in the provided text). In an interview with American commentator Tucker Carlson, Witkoff asserted that the predominantly Russian-speaking populations of these regions, following alleged referendums, overwhelmingly desire to be under Russian rule.
Witkoff characterized this territorial dispute as the “elephant in the room,” highlighting the constitutional challenges facing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in potentially conceding these areas. He suggested that Russia’s de facto control over these territories makes international recognition of Russian sovereignty the central issue. The envoy added that while “very positive conversations” are underway, the unwillingness to openly discuss the territorial question is a major impediment to peace.
This statement has not been confirmed by official US channels and is likely to generate significant controversy, particularly given the international condemnation of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has not yet responded to Witkoff’s claims.
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