WASHINGTON: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sent a letter of apology to US President Donald Trump following a heated public exchange during their Oval Office meeting last month, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has said.
Speaking to Fox News the diplomat confirmed that Zelensky had sent the apology letter to Trump after their tense exchange.
He added this step had initiated further discussions between the US, Ukraine, and relevant European officials regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine and efforts towards a peace agreement.
“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 said.
President Trump acknowledged receiving the letter during his recent address to Congress but did not mention Zelensky’s apology.
Zelensky had previously described the Oval Office clash as “regrettable,” but stopped short of offering an official apology at the time.
The discussion in the Oval Office focused on the US’s push for diplomacy with Russia, with Zelensky openly questioning the effectiveness of US efforts to engage with the Kremlin.
Following the meeting, military aid to Ukraine was suspended, and crucial negotiations on the minerals deal and intelligence sharing between the US and Ukraine were put on hold.
Although the letter of apology represents progress in repairing relations, Witkoff emphasised that significant challenges still lie ahead in the peace negotiations.
US and Ukrainian officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia later this week to continue their efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The focus of the upcoming talks will be on securing territorial security, military aid, and a potential peace agreement.
Witkoff stressed the need for transparency and compromise in the upcoming discussions. “These are not complicated things, they just need to be put on the table,” he said, urging both sides to clarify their expectations as peace talks resume.
Yesterday, Zelensky and chief US diplomat Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of ceasefire talks on Monday as Ukraine’s proposal for a partial truce raised hopes of a breakthrough after three years of war.
