Steve Witkoff, who serves as a special envoy under President Donald Trump’s administration, confirmed on Monday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky apologized to Trump in his recent letter to the 47th president after being forced to leave the White House following a heated meeting in the Oval Office.
During a Monday interview on Fox News, Witkoff said, “Zelensky sent a letter to the president. He apologized for that whole incident that happened in the Oval Office.”
“I think that it was an important step, and there’s been a lot of discussion between our teams and the Ukrainians and the Europeans who are relevant to this discussion as well,” Witkoff added. “And I would like to describe it as progress. I would hope that there’s a deal.”
During his speech to a joint session of Congress last Tuesday, Trump announced that he had received a letter from Zelensky regarding the country’s commitment to negotiating a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
READ MORE: Video: US ally rejects calls to boycott US Navy after Trump, Zelensky fallout
Reading a portion of Zelensky’s letter, Trump said, “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts. We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you.”
Prior to Witkoff’s comments to Fox News on Monday, Newsweek reported that Mykhailo Podolyak, a Zelensky aide, told a French news outlet that the Ukrainian president would not be apologizing for his role in the heated Oval Office meeting on February 28.
Defending Zelensky’s behavior during his meeting with Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, Podolyak said, “He was absolutely right in form and substance when he tried to convey to our American partners the key idea: nothing will be done without coercion of Russia.”
The Zelensky aide added, “Our president tirelessly explains to our partners what this war is and who provoked it…So we will not apologize for a supposed mistake that did not take place.”
According to The Post Millennial, officials from both the United States and Ukraine are expected to meet on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to discuss a peace plan for Russia and Ukraine.
