Steve Witkoff, Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, asserted in a CNN interview that the war in Ukraine was provoked, although not solely by Russia. He argued that discussions of Ukraine's potential NATO membership were perceived as a threat by Moscow. Witkoff stressed the importance of peace, noting how many lives have been lost due to the conflict. He suggested that negotiations, specifically those outlined in the Istanbul Protocol Agreement, show potential pathways for achieving a peaceful resolution between Ukraine and Russia.
The war didn't need to happen. It was provoked, but it doesn't necessarily mean it was provoked by the Russians.
Witkoff believes Moscow viewed talks of Ukraine joining NATO as a threat, contributing to the aggression that followed.
Witkoff emphasized that while many blame Russia, Ukraine's NATO discussions also played a role in provoking the conflict.
The negotiations in Istanbul showed that there was a real willingness from both sides for a potential peace agreement.
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