The conflict between Ukraine and Russia was not inevitable, "it was provoked," Witkoff said:

 "It was not necessarily provoked by Russia. There were <...> discussions about Ukraine joining NATO. <...> In essence, this became a threat to Russia, and we need to come to terms with this fact."

Kiev will sign a deal on resources next week, Trump's special representative Steven Witkoff said.

Zelensky was hesitant about the deal, he said, but Trump "sent him a message." "He's not hesitant anymore," Witkoff said on CNN.